New Criteria for All EHNAC Accreditation Programs Released for Public Review and Comment through Nov. 25, 2012

Standards development organization solicits input from industry stakeholders on accreditation criteria for ten existing and two new programs

FARMINGTON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, announced today that it has posted new versions of program criteria for general public review. EHNAC seeks interested parties to provide opinions, comments and suggestions for the upgraded 2013 criteria versions that have been developed for each of EHNAC’s accreditation programs with regard to the necessity, appropriateness and workability of the criteria versions proposed for adoption.

“As health data exchange continues to be an evolving, yet increasingly critical, area in healthcare regulations, it’s our goal to stay abreast of all changes and modify our programs accordingly so that we continue to offer the best possible reflection of true industry standards.”

The open process for adopting criteria will last 60 days, commencing on Sept. 25, 2012 and ending on Nov. 25, 2012. Below is a listing of the ten existing and two new programs affected:

1. ePAP – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program

2. FSAP EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks

3. FSAP Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services

4. HIEAP – Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program

5. HNAP-70 – Healthcare Network Accreditation Plus Select SAS 70^©1 Criteria Program

6. HNAP EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks [Includes Payer]

7. HNAP Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers

8. HNAP TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Third Party Administrators

9. MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program

10. OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program²

11. EPCSCP-Pharmacy (NEW) - Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances Certification Program – Pharmacy Vendor³

12. EPCSCP-Prescribing (NEW) - Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances Certification Program – Prescribing Vendor³

“Our basis for determining the necessary changes to any of our accreditation criteria is founded with deep involvement from a variety of industry stakeholders and changes as a result of healthcare reform legislation. We always offer complete transparency and input from any interested party through our public review and comment period,” said Mark Gingrich, commissioner and criteria committee chair of EHNAC. “As health data exchange continues to be an evolving, yet increasingly critical, area in healthcare regulations, it’s our goal to stay abreast of all changes and modify our programs accordingly so that we continue to offer the best possible reflection of true industry standards.”

EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards and HIPAA regulations. Visit www.ehnac.org for more details or to review the latest EHNAC criteria.

¹ SAS 70(©) is a proprietary term owned by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 16, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization, was finalized by the Auditing Standards Board of the AICPA in January 2010 and effectively replaces SAS 70 as the authoritative guidance for reporting on service organizations.

²OSAP includes nine different accreditation programs tailored for Call Centers, Data Centers, DRP Facilities, Health Information Exchange, Media Storage, Network Administrators, Printing, Product Development and Scanning.

³EHNAC is in the process of applying to the DEA to become an approved EPCS certifier. Until finalized, these programs will be administered exclusively by CISA certified auditors.

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, medical billers, outsourced services 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 [e-mail].