Testing of HIPAA standard transactions is to start this month.  It will be a major task for many covered entities.  I have attached a document written by Mark Lott, President of HIPAA Testing, Inc. and Chairman of HCCO.  This provides some good information that may assist you with your transactions testing.

With limited time and resources the approach to testing is a vital decision. DHHS and WEDI SNIP have not provided testing conformance and interoperability guidelines.  There is a standard conformance testing methodology practiced by many organizations including ISO, ANSI and NIST. HIPAA Testing, Inc. is a company that uses this standard for HIPAA edi transactions. 

For those that would like to limit the funding you expend on transactions testing, you may want to take a look at using free validation testing (described below) and if you are using an application vendor you may want to consider HIPAA Testing, Inc.'s Covered Entity Advocacy Program.

Here are the services that HIPAA Testing, Inc., provides.

INDEPENDENT 3RD PARTY CERTIFICATION SERVICES
http://www.hipaatesting.com/3rd_party_certification_programs1.html
HIPAA Testing, Inc. is a  full-service software testing firm that can offer you a
certification that actually means your software has been thoroughly tested.

FREE EDI VALIDATION TESTING of your EDI files (Free EDI Validation Page http://www.hipaatesting.com/free_edi_testing1.html).
There are many vendors that provide this service for a nominal fee. Your clearinghouse or payer may also provide free validation of your test files. If your clearinghouse or payer does not provide free validation testing, you may want to consider HIPAA Testing, Inc.'s free validation service.

If you aren't sure what to look for in a HIPAA edi testing vendor, or would like to have the right questions to ask, take a look at HIPAA Testing, Inc.'s certification
checklist (Third Party Checklist
http://www.hipaatesting.com/certification_checklist1.html ).

You can also review the FAQ's on testing and certification.

COVERED ENTITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM
http://www.hipaatesting.com/advocacy_certification_program1.html
There is confusion and skepticism associated with vendor claims of a
"HIPAA Compliant" or "HIPAA Certified" product or service. HIPAA Testing,
Inc. acts on the covered entity's behalf to determine the true assertions and
limitations of their vendor solutions. This service is provided free for
the covered entity as HIPAA Testing, Inc. will work with your vendors to
complete the review of their testing procedures or enroll their software
into the HCCO's Conformance Certification Assurance Program (CCAP).

ALLIANCE PARTNER PROGRAM
The Alliance Partner Program is customized to fit partner requirements for
a complete HIPAA testing, validation and certification solution. HIPAA
Testing, Inc. offers excellent technology,  and the greatest value in the
industry for your clients and their trading partners. If interested in learning more
about this program go to http://www.hipaatesting.com/alliance_partner1.html


I wish you success on your HIPAA compliance initiatives.

Regards,
ComplyAssistant Moderator

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