HealthPort is the first HIH to transmit records via CMS' esMD gateway

HealthPort, the industry authority on the HIPAA-compliant exchange of protected health information through release of information services and audit management technology, today announced that the Company is the first Health Information Handler (HIH) to successfully transmit records via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) electronic submission of medical documentation (esMD) gateway for information exchange from healthcare providers, once again leading the way in release of information innovation.

As a participant, HealthPort will utilize its technology for the secure electronic transmittal of medical records via the CMS esMD gateway, in response to requests by Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) and other federal Medicare and Medicaid related audit requesters. Considering the esMD process is new, and the stakes are high, HealthPort will conduct extensive "live" record testing with a few pilot facilities and a limited number of CMS contractors, expanding the lists gradually as the process is proven to be reliable and the contractors demonstrate the proper turnaround time for receipt and confirmation.

"As the authority on the compliant exchange of protected health information, we pride ourselves in delivering the most secure and flexible options for record request fulfillment to the healthcare community," said Steve Emery, Director of Product Development, HealthPort. "Although there are alternative ways to manage this process, we support the efforts of CMS through our participation in the esMD gateway and we are prepared to discuss esMD connections with our customers once we analyze live record testing results."