Vol. 7, No.1

January 2002

President Signs Legislation Delaying Implementation of HIPAA Electronic Transaction Standards

During the holidays President Bush signed into law legislation permitting providers, health care clearinghouses and most health plans to obtain a one-year extension of the October 16, 2002 compliance deadline for electronic transaction and code sets enacted as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under the new law, entities that wish to obtain a one-year extension must submit a plan detailing how it will come into compliance with the electronic transaction and code sets standard by October 16, 2003.

In addition, the law authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to exclude from Medicare participation any provider who does not either comply with the original deadline or the extension. The law does not delay implementation of HIPAA's Privacy and Security Standards.

Elements of Electronic Transaction and Code Sets Compliance Plan

The compliance plan must include (1) an analysis reflecting the extent to which, and the reasons why, the person is not in compliance; (2) a budget, schedule, work plan, and implementation strategy for achieving compliance; (3) whether the person plans to use or might use a contractor or other vendor to assist the person in achieving compliance; and (4) a specific period of testing that begins not later than April 16, 2003. To assist in the formulation of this compliance plan, HHS is required to promulgate a model form. The law also provides that the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics will analyze a sample of plans submitted and report on general compliance problems identified.

New Deadline for Electronic Submission of Medicare Claims

The law also imposes a new deadline: requiring that, with limited exceptions, all Medicare claims for services and supplies provided under both Part A and Part B must be submitted electronically by October 16, 2003. Electronic claim forms are not required in cases in which there is no method available for submission of claims in electronic form. Additionally, institutional providers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and physicians, practitioners, facilities or suppliers with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees are not required to submit claim forms electronically.

Northern Plains Chapter Celebrates CC's Milestone Anniversary

The Northern Plains Chapter used its fall seminar to recognize the 25th Anniversary of O&P education programs at Century College (CC) in White Bear Lake, MN. CC offers a post-baccalaureate certificate program. A full line-up of distinguished speakers and a Century College alumni dinner attracted current and past students to the meeting. 2002 Chapter President Rick Miller, CO said he was anxious to continue the tradition of promoting the excellent O&P education at the college, and noted the chapter will increase the O&P Scholarship Fund at Century College. The chapter's fall seminar is set for September 6. Miller can be reached at (507) 281-5250 or at rickblues@msn.com.

Excerpts From the Last Board Meeting:

• New Orleans Hyatt, site of the 1999 meeting, was selected as the site of the 2004 Annual Meeting. (The Academy will return to Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina in 2003.)

• The Board agreed to give ABC time at the Academy's Annual Meeting to present the new William D. Beiswenger Volunteer Award. The award will honor an individual's dedicated service to the O&P profession and the mission of ABC.

• The Academy will partner with O&P World magazine in January to distribute a special Spanish language supplement to practitioners in Latin America with 14 pages devoted to describing the 2002 Annual Meeting.

• Langan and Associates was selected to conduct the 2001 audit of Academy finances. Langan does audits for more than 200 associations.

Academy Awards Announced

Scientific Societies to Meet

Five of the Academy's seven scientific societies will meet March 22 during the Annual Meeting. Meeting in separate rooms will be Fabrication Sciences, Gait, Spinal, Upper-Limb Prosthetics, and CAD/CAM societies.

Academy Activities

February 1-2 NEW! - The Academy's first Clinical Standards of Practice consensus conference on Orthotic Treatment of Scoliosis and Scheuermann's Kyphosis at The Scottish Rites Hospital for Children in Dallas. (By invitation)

April 12-13 - Spring Exam Preparation Seminar, Newington Certificate Program, Newington, CT

May 3-4 NEW! - The second offering of the Academy's exciting Advanced Training Series: Material Science and Prosthetic/Orthotic Design: Maximizing Patient Safety. This intensive two-day course will explore relevant engineering design principles and their application to the selection and incorporation of components into custom prostheses and orthoses. Practical methods to maximize the structural integrity of prostheses and orthoses without adding excessive weight or bulk, will be emphasized. A detailed review of documented mechanical failures of devices and their resulting malpractice implications will also be presented. The course will include a video conference program with speakers in Australia and the US. The course will be at Northwestern University's Evanston campus (about 40 minutes from O'Hare Airport) and a nearby hotel TBD.