This white paper is focused on the business and operational processes of exchanging additional information (Attachments) using the HL7 standards for clinical information and the X12 transaction sets for requesting and receiving the additional information. The detailed technical requirements are not covered in this white paper as the standards development organizations have provided the technical guidance in the standards implementation documents. For definitions of abbreviations, acronyms and other terms used throughout this paper refer to Appendix A of the HL7 CDA R2 Attachment Implementation Guide: Exchange of C-CDA Based Documents, Release 1 – US Realm.

This white paper will provide the following:

• An overview of Attachments
• Resources needed to have a successful implementation of Attachments
• A review of some of the current processes for requesting and responding to the need for additional information to help understand the challenges
• Examples of implementation approaches in the industry
• A review of Electronic Attachment Business flows for Claims, Prior Authorizations and Notification
• Business use cases and examples
• A guidance on how to embed additional information within the applicable ASC X12N transaction.

Guidance on Implementation of Standard Electronic Attachments for Healthcare Transactions White Paper