As a result of pressures from the government and insurance companies to reduce cost, health care organizations have cut staff while increasing workflow. Health care workers agree this has jeopardized patient care. Furthermore, proprietary systems, payer-specific requirements, regulatory measures and paper processes make access to patient information difficult. Administrative simplification standards will help reduce the cost and administrative burdens of health care. With hundreds of versions of each of these standards used with each of the transactions, a single physician may have to deal with more than 25 versions.
Privacy is another matter.
Just as consumer access to financial credit information is federally regulated, Congress is promulgating legislation to give citizens control over their health information. An industry-wide paradigm shift is required, which will forever alter the business of health care. Bringing about the cultural shift means education, cooperation and coordination. Health care organizations should take proactive steps to stimulate industry coordination, not fight it. You must thoroughly assess the current situation before beginning the process of compliance.