(9/29/97) - Follow-up Communication Regarding ANSI ASC X12N transactions

September 29, 1997

The Honorable Donna E. Shalala
Secretary of Health and Human Services
440D Hubert Humphry Building
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Shalala,

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) designated the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) as an advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services in the selection of electronic health care standards.

In this capacity, WEDI has previously communicated its belief that for optimal consumer benefit, all organizations participating in the healthcare industry should adopt electronic commerce standards.  Such standards, with assurance of privacy and confidentiality safeguards, must result in business practices that are cost-effective, reduce administrative costs, assure access to patient care, and work towards improving the overall quality of healthcare.  As such, WEDI endorses the development and maintenance of standards that can be broadly supported and implemented, and which will enable full healthcare industry participation in electronic commerce.

This letter is to confirm that in follow up to our letter to you of June 20, 1997, the WEDI Board of Directors has formally endorsed and recommends that;

"The Secretary of Health and Human Services adopt the applicable ANSI ASC X12N transactions as the standards for the administrative and financial transactions described in Public Law 104-191,  except for the pharmacy claim where the ANSI approved NCPDP claim format should be permitted."

Please feel free to contact the WEDI national office if you have any questions, or require additional information regarding this matter.

Sincerely,
 

Ernest Clevenger
Chairman