The Health Plan Identifier (HPID) is a standard, unique health plan identifier required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The initial deadline for health plans to obtain an HPID was Nov. 5, 2014.
On Oct. 31, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that enforcement of the HPID requirement is delayed until further notice. This delay applies to:
- The requirement that health plans obtain an HPID; and
- The use of the HPID in HIPAA standard transactions.
This enforcement delay means that health plan sponsors who are subject to the HPID requirement and have not yet received their HPIDs can delay obtaining them.
This enforcement delay applies to all HIPAA-covered entities, including health care providers, health plans and health care clearinghouses.
The statement from the CMS Office of e-Health Standards and Services (OESS), which is responsible for enforcement of compliance with the HIPAA standard transactions, code sets, unique identifiers and operating rules, explained that the delay was prompted by a recommendation of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS), an advisory body to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Material posted on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal opinion or medical advice. Contact your legal representative or medical professional for information specific to your legal or medical needs.
