Are you ready to start testing the Version 5010 HIPAA electronic health care transaction standards in four months? That's the start date for testing 5010 standards with external partners, CMS reminds providers in an e-mail message. "This recommended external testing start date will give the industry adequate time to ensure that their Version 5010 transactions are being conducted correctly," CMS says. Deadline: 5010 compliance will be mandatory starting in January 2012, CMS adds. You can learn more about the 5010 standards, which will apply to all Medicare providers' claims, and the transition to the ICD-10 diagnosis coding system in a Sept. 13 CMS call on the topic. Information about the call is at
www.cms.gov/ICD10/02c_CMS_Sponsored_Calls.asp. Registration for the session closes Sept. 10. "Don't fall behind on this important testing process," CMS says of the 5010 standards.