CMS Issues Administrative Simplification Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule that “establishes the first-ever Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act adopted standards for health care claims attachments, enabling the secure electronic exchange of health care claims-related supporting clinical documentation such as medical records, X-rays and imaging, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation and laboratory results.” CMS is estimating a cost savings of $781 million per year. The Missouri Hospital Association published an issue brief with additional details.