HHS finalizes HIPAA transaction standard for health care attachments 

The Department of Health and Human Services March 20 released a final rule establishing a standard format for attachments to support electronic health care claims under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The rule also establishes requirements for electronic signatures to ensure claims attachment transactions are secure, authenticated and federally compliant. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said the rule is projected to save about $781 million annually, reduce administrative burden, accelerate claims processing and improve efficiency, among other benefits. The health care claims attachment standards become effective May 26, 2028. These actions achieve one of the AHA’s recommendations to HHS for reducing administrative burden in health care.