CMS phases out faxes, snail mail to save taxpayers $782M a year

CMS is swapping out faxing and mailing for streamlined electronic transactions, an action it says lets providers spend less time on administrative hassle and more time caring for patients. The Administrative Simplification; Adoption of Standards for Health Care Claims Attachments Transactions and Electronic Signatures Final Rule, scheduled to take effect in May, is projected to save the healthcare industry roughly $781 million annually by establishing national standards for the electronic exchange of clinical documentation used to support health care claims. The rule also adopts standards for electronic signatures to ensure secure, authenticated transmission of this information. CMS says providers have relied on outdated manual methods to submit additional claims-related documentation requested by health plans, including medical records, X-rays, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation, and laboratory results – all of which cause delays and unnecessary costs. The new standards establish a consistent, easy-to-use electronic framework for transmitting this documentation, improving efficiency across the entire healthcare system. The standards adopted in this rule apply to HIPAA-covered entities, including health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers that conduct electronic transactions.