On behalf of all of us at C&S, I would like to welcome you to today's User Meeting, which we have decided to dedicate exclusively to HIPAA compliance.

As you know, C&S has been working for the past several years to address HIPAA and HIPAA related issues, particularly as these relate to electronic billing and code sets (e.g., CPT4, ICD9, etc.). I am happy to report that as of today, we have been approved by Medicare to send HIPAA-compliant physician claims in nearly every state in which our clients submit bills (except for New York and Arizona). Furthermore, we have also begun testing with the various Blue Shield and Medicaid carriers.

HIPAA is a complex set of regulations which covers many areas of your practice, including Patient Privacy, Security, and Code Sets, as well as electronic billing. Because of this, you must assess your readiness in each area, and devise a plan to bring it into compliance. To help you with those parts of HIPAA that do not directly relate to your C&S system, I have invited Lesley Berkeyheiser, a HIPAA specialist from The Clayton Group, to give a presentation here today. In addition to providing an overview of the HIPAA regulations and what they will require from your practice, she will offer some practical options and tools on how to bring your practice into compliance.

HIPAA compliance, particularly with respect to electronic transactions, requires a coordination of efforts between you, the electronic carrier or payor, and C&S. As part of C&S' ongoing efforts toward this end, I have appointed Diane Englebert to the position of Electronic Claims Coordinator. While all of us at C&S are focused on HIPAA, Diane will spearhead our efforts, and will in most cases be your first contact for HIPAA claims issues. Her duties will include scheduling the testing and implementation of HIPAA claims with each client, as well as any necessary follow-up with you or the carriers.

Of course, all of these efforts will fail without active (and proactive) participation from you, the client. Most of you have already returned the HIPAA Testing Authorization forms that were mailed to you in October. For those of you who have not, please be aware that C&S cannot begin migrating your electronic billing software until we receive these forms. Ultimately, your practice is responsible for ensuring its own HIPAA compliance.

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for attending today's meeting. I hope that you walk away with a basic working understanding of the HIPAA requirements, and that you know where to look for further assistance. If there is anything that C&S can do to assist you in your efforts, please do not hesitate to contact us.