REMINDER ON FILING CHANGES FOR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS

Harrisburg, Nov. 5, 2003 – The deadline for Medical Assistance providers to electronically file claims using a new standard format is looming, according to state Sen. Connie Williams.

“In 1997, when the federal government passed the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act, which includes new privacy provisions, it also established a new protocol for the electronic claims submission process, which requires health-care providers to obtain new software,” Williams said.

“Initially, providers had until Oct. 16 to meet that deadline. That deadline is not going to be enforced, however, the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare has established an absolute deadline of March 1, 2004, and has assured me that this deadline will be strictly enforced.”

What this means is that health-care providers who bill Medical Assistance electronically must obtain new software and begin utilizing it by that date, if they want the claims processed.

Information on the new formats is available at www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap/hipaa/omaphipaa.asp or by calling (800) 248-2152. Providers may check the Web site to learn if they or their submitter is currently certified.