EHNAC Releases Updated and Final 2014 Criteria for All Accreditation Programs

FARMINGTON, Conn., Jan. 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, announced today the adoption of new program criteria, which includes various enhancements and clarifications including further support of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Omnibus Rule. All of these accreditation programs support the latest healthcare reform legislative mandates for industry stakeholders.

Following the standard, 60-day public comment period, EHNAC has incorporated feedback to finalize and adopt the enhanced criteria versions for the following programs:

1. DTAAP-CA – Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program for Certificate Authorities (V1.1)
2. DTAAP-HISP – Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program for Health Information Service Providers (V1.1)
3. DTAAP-RA – Direct Trusted Agent Accreditation Program for Registration Authorities (V1.1)
4. ePAP-EHN – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program (V6.6)
5. EPCSCP-Pharmacy – Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances Certification Program – Pharmacy Vendor¹ (V1.2)
6. EPCSCP-Prescribing – Electronic Prescription of Controlled Substances Certification Program – Prescribing Vendor¹ (V1.2)
7. FSAP-EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (V2.6)
8. FSAP-Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services (V2.6)
9. HIEAP – Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (V1.4)
10. HNAP-EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks [Includes Payer] (V10.6)
11. HNAP-Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers (V1.5)
12. HNAP-TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Third Party Administrators (V1.5)
13. MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program (V1.4)
14. OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program² (V1.5)

"Each year, the Criteria Committee reviews public input and the latest regulations to enhance the criteria in all EHNAC programs to ensure they remain in sync with industry requirements and trends including HIPAA, HITECH, ARRA, the Omnibus Rule, as well as cloud computing specifications," says EHNAC Executive Director Lee Barrett. "The criteria review process is an essential part of EHNAC's mission to promote standards-based accreditation, and we appreciate those dedicated industry stakeholders who continue to volunteer their time and expertise."

EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health information exchange and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards and healthcare regulatory reform measures. Organizations that apply for accreditation or re-accreditation on or after January 1, 2014 will comply with enhanced criteria standards. Criteria for all EHNAC programs are posted online.

¹EHNAC 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.

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.

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 e-prescribing solution providers, electronic health networks, financial services firms, health information exchanges, health information service providers, medical billers, third-party administrators, management service organizations, outsourced service providers, payers, and EPCS vendors.

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, contact info@ehnac.org, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.