WEDI’s Federal Policy Consultation Process and X12 Version 008060

3/30/2026

As an advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), as named in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), WEDI is no stranger to convening cross-industry, multi-stakeholder groups to work through the critical issues health care faces. Most of this work has been centered around responding to proposed regulations, requests for information, and other requests for formal feedback from government agencies and is exclusively for WEDI members only. WEDI saw an opportunity to support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by developing a process to proactively convene consultation events for WEDI members and the industry at large on activities prior to regulatory action.

The ink was barely dry on the newly Board-approved Federal Policy Consultation (FPC) process when the first opportunity presented itself. X12 had submitted a recommendation to CMS in December to adopt the suite of the latest version of HIPAA mandated transactions, Version 008060 (8060). CMS was looking for broad input from the industry on the potential benefits and impacts of adopting 8060, and there was the opportunity for the WEDI FPC.

Before talking more about the specific FPC activities for evaluating 8060, here is more information on what the FPC is. The purpose of the FPC process is to gather information and give industry-wide stakeholders the opportunity to provide input and data to HHS and its agencies on emerging health information technology issues. As an official advisor to HHS, WEDI will serve as industry convenor and compile feedback, perspectives, and recommendations provided by stakeholders. At the end of the FPC process, WEDI will submit a report on its findings to HHS and make that report public.

You may have participated in WEDI’s Member Position Advisory (MPA) process (if not, be sure to attend the next one) and are asking yourself how an FPC is different from an MPA. The first distinct difference is that FPCs solicit and encourage participation from WEDI non-members. It is important that this process be as inclusive as possible of the health care industry in evaluating the subject of the FPC. Second, the goal of the FPC is not to develop consensus-based recommendations. The outcome of the FPC will be a report that synthesizes the information presented and submitted to WEDI. Another way in which an FPC differs from an MPA is that it will most likely be held proactively prior to the release of a proposed rule or other action. The FPC can be requested by a government agency or initiated by WEDI.

The FPC process will gather data and input from the industry using all or some of these options: (i) Requests for written statements; (ii) Surveys; (iii) Virtual and in-person meetings or hearings; (iv) Interviews; (v) Electronic polling tools; and (vi) Other relevant means to gather necessary information. The goal is to be flexible and have multiple options that stakeholders can use and not limit the process to a select group. The goal of the FPC is to gain a wide variety of organizations’ insights and perspectives on the topic under consideration. In the end, WEDI wants to be able to provide the requesting government agency with a comprehensive report of information they need to make informed policy decisions.

As for the FPC on X12’s recommendation to adopt 8060, WEDI has developed multiple opportunities for industry participation. The first is a survey on the impact adoption of 8060 will have on the industry. Responders will be asked to complete the short questionnaire focused on the potential business value and implementation effort associated with the adoption of the 8060 transactions. There are multiple open comment boxes throughout the survey for responders to share their specific feedback.

The second way to share feedback is through a statement submission process. Organizations will be able to submit written comments through an online form addressing three specific questions: (i) Impacts of implementing 8060 related to costs, benefits, and burden reduction; (ii) Recommendations for implementation related to timing, roll out of transactions, and synchronization with other regulatory requirements; and (iii) Any additional information about the potential implementation of the 8060 transactions.

The last step for input from the industry will be the FPC virtual event on April 22 from 12-4 pm ET. The event will begin with an introduction of the topic by CMS. There will be five panels of speakers who will present an oral statement on behalf of their organization addressing the potential implementation of the 8060 transactions. The last hour will be an open, facilitated discussion for all attendees to participate and comment by using the online chat feature. Attendees will have the opportunity to raise their questions, comments, and recommendations and hear what others are saying about this important topic.

Following the virtual event, WEDI will compile a report on the survey results, submitted written statements, and feedback provided by the panels and attendees throughout the FPC session. This report, following review by the WEDI Board, will be submitted to CMS for their use in evaluating X12’s recommendation to adopt the 8060 transactions. It will also be made public on WEDI’s website.

You can access the survey and statement submission form at wedi.org. Register for the April 22 event on WEDI’s Event page. Also, be sure to visit WEDI’s HIPAA page for WEDI-X12 fact sheets, WEDI 8060 recorded conference sessions, and other resources to learn more about 8060.

WEDI is excited to be taking on this new role in gathering industry-wide feedback on critical topics before they become regulatory actions. This is yet another way in which WEDI can convene the health care industry and advise HHS on a critical standards issue. More importantly, the FPC process is another way in which organizations can directly voice their feedback and perspectives on the requirements that directly impact their business. I, for one, cannot wait to read your thoughtful written statements and hear your expert perspectives on April 22.