Emdeon Selected by the Maryland Hospital Association to Power the Maryland Transaction Data I...( Emdeon's Leading Payer Network and ...),Health

Emdeon's Leading Payer Network and Provider Services Cited as Pivotal to

Improving Electronic Billing Efficiency Statewide

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Emdeon, a leading provider of revenue and payment cycle management solutions for the healthcare industry, has been named the electronic data interchange (EDI) provider for Maryland hospitals by the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA). Emdeon was selected through a competitive bidding process conducted by the MHA's HIPAA Transaction Project working through sub-committees of the MHA's Council on Financial Policy.

MHA cited Emdeon's leading payer network, proven technical ability to process patient eligibility and benefits verifications and claim status inquiries, as well as its ability to integrate with "virtually any hospital's system," as deciding factors in the selection process. By partnering with Emdeon, MHA expects to advance the development of HIPAA administrative transactions between Maryland hospitals and the major payers in the state. The establishment of this Transaction Data Interchange, focused on the unique needs of the Maryland hospital community, will result in improved electronic efficiencies.

"We're confident in Emdeon's technology," states Carmela Coyle, MHA's President and CEO. "Emdeon will help our MHA members connect with payers to increase EDI utilization and improve revenue cycle management. The adoption of electronic data transmission is essential to reduce costs and optimize efficiencies."

The MHA represents 47 hospitals and health systems in Maryland. The relationship with Emdeon will increase the availability and access to information related to claim status and eligibility verification transactions for hospitals, and establish a standard for HIPAA transactions -- thereby streamlining the multiple processes that flow between healthcare providers and payers to promote full implementation of EDI in the state of Maryland.

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