The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, has announced the adoption of new program criteria for 2011.

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

• ePAP – e-Prescribing Accreditation Program (Version 6.2)
• FSAP EHN – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 2.2)
• FSAP Lockbox – Financial Services Accreditation Program for Lockbox Services (Version 2.2)
• HNAP-70 – Healthcare Network Accreditation Plus Select SAS 70 Criteria Program (Version 1.2)
• HNAP EHN – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Electronic Health Networks (Version 10.2)
• HNAP Medical Biller – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for Medical Billers (Version 1.1)
• HNAP TPA – Healthcare Network Accreditation Program for TPAs (Version 1.1)
• MSOAP – Management Service Organization Accreditation Program (Version 1.0)
• OSAP – Outsourced Services Accreditation Program (Version 1.1)

 In October of 2010, EHNAC also announced the release of its Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (HIEAP Version 1.0).
 
“Our progressive movement to promote industry standards of health data processing stretches across a diverse cross-section of healthcare stakeholders that utilize electronic health networks including payers, financial services firms, medical billers, hospitals, clinicians, prescribers and consumers,” says Mark Gingrich, commissioner and criteria committee chair of EHNAC. “This is a time of foundational change within the healthcare industry and related markets. Presenting accreditation programs that effectively evaluate the achievement of organizations involved in health data processing is a constantly evolving process in which EHNAC and its stakeholders continue to place an exceptional focus.”

EHNAC accreditation recognizes excellence in health data processing and transactions, and confirms compliance with industry-established standards plus HIPAA and HITECH regulations. Organizations that apply for accreditation or re-accreditation after Jan. 1, 2011 will now need to adhere to the enhanced criteria standards. Criteria for all EHNAC programs are posted online.