HIPAA claims deadline nears: June 18.

Physical therapists and other providers covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) have 1 week to make sure their electronic claims comply with transaction standards, or their payment for noncompliant claims will be delayed by 13 days.

Beginning July 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement changes to a contingency, plan issued in February that will delay the processing of non-compliant electronic claims by 13 days. The agency also released additional guidance for providers who use a clearinghouse for their billing. CMS has learned that some clearinghouses are converting HIPAA-compliant claims back into nonstandard electronic formats until all of their clients are required to comply with HIPAA standards. The guidance reminds providers that they ultimately are responsible for submitting compliant claims and suggests ways to address problems with clearinghouses.