The final version of the Senate health care reform bill (HR 3590) includes provisions to strengthen HIPAA transaction standards and simplify other administrative processes, Health Data Management reports (Goedert, Health Data Management, 12/22).
Yesterday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced that they had reached an agreement to hold a final vote on the chamber's health care reform bill on Thursday at 8 a.m., instead of the originally scheduled time of 7 p.m.
In earlier procedural votes, Senate Democrats demonstrated that they have the 60 votes necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster, meaning that the bill is likely to pass on Thursday (Young, The Hill, 12/22).
HIPAA Transactions
Under the Senate bill, health care organizations would need to abide by a set of "operating rules" when conducting administrative and financial transactions.
The measure also calls for health care organizations to adopt standardized electronic transactions for:
- Claims attachments;
- Electronic funds transfers; and
- First report of injury.
In addition, the bill would require health insurers to report to HHS about their compliance with the new operating rules (Health Data Management, 12/22).