CMA has partnered with Infinedi, a Tulsa, Okla., electronic clearinghouse, to ensure your practice’s cash flow is not interrupted by new HIPAA mandates, which take effect, October 16.

Physician offices have just 60 business days to fully comply with HIPAA’s electronic transactions and code-sets rule, which standardizes claims submission, processing, and payment. Most payers are expected to withhold payment from physicians and other providers if claims are not submitted in the new formats. As a result, practices that are not in full compliance by the deadline will face significant cash-flow disruptions.

If your office isn’t ready to begin transmitting standardized claims, you’re not alone. The vast majority of physicians have yet to successfully submit claims under the new HIPAA formats. Is there anything you can do if your office, practice management software vendor, or billing service isn’t prepared for HIPAA’s October 16th deadline? Yes. Infinedi can convert existing claims data into the HIPAA-compliant format and transmit those claims electronically to payers.

Physicians can choose Infinedi’s flat rate monthly service, which permits unlimited electronic claims filing, or opt for a per-transaction payment plan. CMA members receive a discount of 8 to 12 percent. You don’t need special software. Claims can be transmitted 24 hours a day to Infinedi’s online web portal via secure FTP, or by modem through a toll-free number. Physicians can also access up-to-date reports on claims status and related information.

Enrollment is risk-free. If Infinedi is unable to convert your existing claims into the new HIPAA formats, the one-time $175 enrollment fee is refunded. (The enrollment fee for nonmembers is $200.) Physicians enrolling will be issued a MEDePass digital certificate for secure access to their private business account information stored at Infinedi.