HHS Rule on Adoption of Standards for Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers
On January 10, 2012, HHS published an interim final rule with comment period that implements an ACA provision requiring the adoption of a standard for electronic funds transfers (EFTs). By streamlining standards for the format and data content of EFT transmissions, HHS estimates that health system administrative costs will be reduced by up to $4.5 billion over the next 10 years. For instance, by requiring trace numbers to automatically match EFTs with remittance advice, the rule would eliminate costly manual reconciliation of the records. The regulations are effective January 10, 2012, with a compliance date of January 1, 2014. Comments will be accepted until March 12, 2012.
