Patricia,
>From end-to-end, the HIPAA change request process runs through four
major phases.
CHANGE ANALYSIS AND PLANNING
This is the process which uses the DSMO web site
www.hipaa-dsmo.org you mentioned. Submitted changes are batched and
processed once a month. An initial determination of participation
(called "collaboration") by each of the DSMO is posted around
mid-month following the month a change is submitted. Plans for
processing the submitted change from each collaborating DSMO are
normally posted approximately three months after that. A DSMO
Steering Committee coordinated and approved plan for each change will
be indicated in another half month. At this point, the change
requester is given an opportunity to object if the plan does not
appear to meet what was requested.
CREATING THE CHANGES
For each change generating modification, each of the DSMO
collaborating organizations follows it's own processes. The degree to
which a change submitter may participate in these processes is
controlled by the various procedures of each organization (e.g., X12
meetings are open to all who wish to attend, participate, and pay the
appropriate fees).
CONSOLIDATING THE CHANGES
Once all changes are made by all of the DSMO for a given round of
Implementation Guides and any other modifications, the DSMO Steering
Committee ensures they are, in aggregate, compatible and appropriate.
The resulting total proposal is then sent to the National Committee on
Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) who also reviews the package --
usually including some degree of public testimony. Once the NCVHS is
satisfied, the new collection of Implementation Guides and any other
changes is forwarded to the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS).
REGULATORY PROCESS
Once a new collection of HIPAA materials is received from the
NCVHS, DHHS (and CMS) executes the regulatory process we've all
come to know so well: grossly stated ... an NPRM, public comment
period, and Final Rule.
Please note that the above description is very high level. There are
many many intervening steps not listed. And the process is still in
its infancy [i.e., those of us involved are still making some of it up
as we go along], so it could easily change somewhat as we actually
move through it the first time or two.
I hope this high level overview helps. Anything at the next level of
detail would take at least a couple of hours to present.
Dave Feinberg
Co-Chair, HIPAA Implementation Work Group
Insurance Subcommittee (X12N)
Accredited Standards Committee X12
Voting Member, HL7 and X12
Rensis Corporation [A Consulting Company]
206-617-1717
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carney, Patricia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Transactions Workgroup" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 6:26 AM
Subject: DSMO Request
I entered a change request at http://www.hipaa-dsmo.org. It's #602.
How long does it take to get addressed? When does it get reviewed?
Is the review process something that I can participate in?
Thanks for any help,
Patricia Carney
Customer Technical Analyst III
Private Healthcare Systems
1100 Winter St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Voice: (781) 895-6927
Fax: (781) 895-3416
