HIMSS and ASC X12 Collaborate on Education & Training

CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwire – December 2, 2010) – Based on mutual interest in the use of effective and productive electronic data interchange standards in the health care industry, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems (HIMSS) and the Accredited Standards Committee X12 (ASC X12) signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing their decision to collaborate on activities and offerings that improve or enhance the implementation of EDI standards in the health care industry.

“ASC X12 and HIMSS have established a cooperative relationship, taking advantage of each organization’s strengths. We look forward to many productive joint initiatives,” said Cathy Sheppard, Chair, ASC X12.

The two organizations intend to collaborate in the development of educational materials, conference presentations, webinars, white papers, articles and reports.

Such cooperative efforts are not new between the organizations, HIMSS and ASC X12 have developed and presented a comprehensive overview of ASC X12 005010 migrations in the Webinar HIPAA 005010 Road to Success — A Prescription for a Healthy and Successful ASC X12 005010 Implementation. HIMSS also published the article ASC X12’s Emerging 5010 Activities, by Cathy Sheppard, in their August 2010 Business Edge online newsletter.

January 1, 2012 is the deadline for health care organizations to be compliant with the ASC X12 005010 transactions mandated by the Health Insurance Reform: Modifications to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Electronic Transaction Standards Final Rule (also known as the 005010 Final Rule). ASC X12 and HIMSS are committed to aiding stakeholders in compliance preparation. 

ASC X12N (Insurance) Vice Chair, Bob Poiesz, will serve on an ASC X12 005010 migration panel at the HIMSS11 Annual Conference and Exhibition. The Ninth National Medical Banking Institute, to be held in conjunction with HIMSS11, features national experts and cross-industry leaders from health care, banking, financial systems, government and academia for an interactive dialogue of critical issues and next steps on building the future of medical banking. At the HIMSS Medical Banking Boot Camp ASC X12 will describe 005010 health data transactions mandated by HIPAA and identify the steps a provider will need to take as part of the ASC X12 005010 transition.

“HIMSS and our medical banking and financial systems community welcome the opportunity to work with the Accredited Standards Committee X12 to build awareness and better educate our diverse audiences, on the value of efficient data exchange in health care,” said John Casillas, HIMSS Senior Vice President, Business-Centered Systems. “With this MoU, our organizations can work together to build relationships and develop educational programming that improves the delivery of health care.”

About HIMSS
HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded 50 years ago, HIMSS and its related organizations have offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, Brussels, Singapore, Leipzig, and other locations across the United States. HIMSS represents more than 30,000 individual members, of which two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS also includes over 470 corporate members and more than 85 not-for-profit organizations that share our mission of transforming healthcare through the effective use of information technology and management systems. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, and research initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. To learn more about HIMSS and to find out how to join us and our members in advancing our cause, please visit our website at www.himss.org.

About X12
ASC X12, chartered by the American National Standards Institute more than 30 years ago, develops and maintains EDI and CICA standards along with XML schemas which drive business processes globally. The diverse membership of ASC X12 includes technologists and business process experts, encompassing health care, insurance, transportation, finance, government, supply chain and other industries. For more information, visit the ASC X12 website at www.x12.org