HIPAA Contingency Information

Contingency Plan for Electronic Transactions after the 10/16/03 HIPAA Compliance Deadline

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) strives to be an industry leader in working to meet HIPAA Administrative Simplification. As a result of intense efforts over the last three years, Anthem, Inc is capable of accepting and processing the electronic transaction formats mandated by HIPAA. This includes HIPAA’s 837 electronic format for institutional, professional or dental claims.

We do, however, recognize that some of our network providers may have difficulty in meeting requirements of HIPAA’s Transaction and Code Set (TCS) Rule by the October 16, 2003, deadline. Anthem supports and recognizes the importance of meeting HIPAA requirements while maintaining smooth business operations during the transition period between current electronic formats and those required by HIPAA.

To assist our network providers who are having difficulty meeting HIPAA compliance requirements Anthem will work with you and your contracted vendors to maintain current business operations during this transition period. For a time, we will accept both standard and existing formats while supporting your efforts to comply with the requirements of HIPAA’s TCS Rule. During this time, we will reassess the readiness of our trading partners and other circumstances to determine the date when we will no longer accept non-compliant transactions. You will be notified in advance of that date.

It is essential that we all move to HIPAA electronic standards as quickly as possible. Successful implementation of HIPAA standards should reduce costs and administrative burdens for the entire healthcare industry and Anthem is committed to assisting you.