All I don't know if this list serve has reviewed this paper or not, but if you are not already aware of it, you might be interested in reading the opinion of X12N TG8 (Architecture) about the meaning of the word 'should' in the HIPAA implementation guides. TG8 was asked to give an opinion on an issue surrounding situational data elements. See the link below for the full paper. To summarize,
"TG8 concludes that in the absence of a specific prohibition, a voluntary inclusion of a data element by the creator of a transaction when a requirement does not apply is compliant with the implementation guide. If sent voluntarily by the creator of the transaction, the receiver cannot reject the transaction as non-compliant even if the receiver chooses to ignore or not use the data item." http://www.x12.org/x12org/subcommittees/X12N/N0800_Opinion_Data_Element.PDF This paper was issued during/shortly after the Seattle (February) X12 meeting. It may generate additional discussion in the June meeting. Jan Root
N0800_Opinion_Data_Element.PDF
Description: Adobe PDF document
