Glossary

Under HIPAA, this is those data elements that provide or control the enveloping or hierarchical structure, or assist in identifying data content of, a transaction.

Under HIPAA, this is the specific instructions for implementing a standard.

Under HIPAA, this is the smallest named unit of information in a transaction.

Under HIPAA, this is the exchange of information between two parties to carry out financial or administrative activities related to health care.

Under HIPAA, this is the direct entry of data that is immediately transmitted into a health plan's computer.

Under HIPAA, this is the date that a final rule is effective, which is usually 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Under HIPAA, this is the date by which a covered entity must comply with a standard, an implementation specification, or a modification. This is usually 24 months after the effective data of the associated final rule for most entities, but 36 months after the effective data for small health plans. For future changes in the standards, the compliance date would be at least 180 days after the effective data, but can be longer for small health plans and for complex changes.

Under HIPAA, this is any set of codes used to encode data elements, such as tables of terms, medical concepts, medical diagnostic codes, or medical procedure codes. This includes both the codes and their descriptions. Also see Part II, 45 CFR 162.103.

Under HIPAA, this is an organization that creates and maintains the code sets adopted by the Secretary for use in the transactions for which standards are adopted. Also see Part II, 45 CFR 162.103.

Under HIPAA, this is all the data elements and code sets inherent to a transaction, and not related to the format of the transaction.