EHNAC Announces 2011 Criteria for Accreditation Programs

FARMINGTON, Conn.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, announced today the adoption of new program criteria for 2011. Following the organization’s standard, 60-day public comment period, EHNAC has incorporated public feedback to finalize and adopt the enhanced criteria versions for the following programs:

“This is a time of foundational change within the healthcare industry and related markets. Presenting accreditation programs that effectively evaluate the achievement of organizations involved in health data processing is a constantly evolving process in which EHNAC and its stakeholders continue to place an exceptional focus.”

1. ePAP – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program (Version 6.2)

2. FSAP EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 2.2)

3. FSAP Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services (Version 2.2)

4. HNAP-70 – Healthcare Network Accreditation Plus Select SAS 70^©1 Criteria Program (Version 1.2)

5. HNAP EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 10.2)²

6. HNAP Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers (Version 1.1)

7. HNAP TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for TPAs (Version 1.1)

8. MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program (Version 1.0)

9. OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program³ (Version 1.1)

In October of 2010, EHNAC also announced the release of its Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (HIEAP Version 1.0).

“Our progressive movement to promote industry standards of health data processing stretches across a diverse cross-section of healthcare stakeholders that utilize electronic health networks including payers, financial services firms, medical billers, hospitals, clinicians, prescribers and consumers” says Mark Gingrich, commissioner and criteria committee chair of EHNAC. “This is a time of foundational change within the healthcare industry and related markets. Presenting accreditation programs that effectively evaluate the achievement of organizations involved in health data processing is a constantly evolving process in which EHNAC and its stakeholders continue to place an exceptional focus.”

EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards plus HIPAA and HITECH regulations. Organizations that apply for accreditation or re-accreditation after Jan. 1, 2011 will now need to adhere to the enhanced criteria standards. Criteria for all EHNAC programs are posted online.

²Criteria for Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Payer-Owned Electronic Health Networks (HNAP Payer) is included.

³OSAP includes eight different accreditation programs tailored for Call Centers, Data Centers, DRP Facilities, Media Storage, Network Administrators, Printing, Product Development and Scanning.

About EHNAC

The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is a voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO) established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange healthcare data. These entities include electronic health networks, payers, financial services firms, health information exchanges and e-prescribing solution providers.

EHNAC was founded in 1993 and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Guided by peer evaluation, the EHNAC accreditation process promotes quality service, innovation, cooperation and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit www.ehnac.org or contact info@ehnac.org.