The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on October 31, 2014 that they have suspended, until further notice, the use of the health plan identifier (HPID).  The HPID and other unique identifier requirements were imposed by the HIPAA for the purpose of streamlining electronic claim processing and other health plan matters.  Due to questions raised about the efficacy of the use of these unique identifiers by CMS’ advisory board, CMS has announced that they have been suspended.  A collective sigh of relief can be taken.

Source: See Statement of Enforcement Discretion regarding 45 CFR 162 Subpart E - Standard Unique Health Identifier for Health Plans, as posted on the CMS’ Health Plan Identifier webpage.

Background Benefit Beat articles:

• HPID Compliance Assistance Tools (10/8/14)
• Attention Self-funded Health Plan Sponsors: The HPID Obligation Looms Large (8/20/14)
• Health Plan Identifier -- Attention: Self-funded plans. Apply or Wait? That is the Question (6/9/14)

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