WASHINGTON DC USA -- HIT/HIPAA UPDATE NEWS SERVICE (TM) -- OCTOBER 3, 2006: The WEDI 2006 Fall Conference, Continuing the Quest: Administrative and Clinical Integration and Interoperability, will address front line issues of primary concern to the healthcare industry. We will open the conference celebrating the 10th Anniversary of HIPAA with key note addresses from Dr. Simon Cohn, Chair of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, and Dr. Bill Braithwaite, former Senior Advisor on Health Information Policy in the Office of the Secretary of HHS, and Chief Clinical Officer, eHealth Initiative. Dr. Cohn will address the progress that has been made with HIPAA over the last 10 years, as well as the work that still needs to be accomplished. Dr. Braithwaite's session titled, HITSP, Process and Product, will address requirements, regional and state activity, AHIC and ONC. Dr. Louis Sullivan, former HHS Secretary and initiator of the HIPAA legislation, will follow, discussing the initial vision for HIPAA, and offer his perspectives on what has been accomplished and what challenges lie ahead. Other key note sessions will address the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, a CMS Regulatory Update, Integrating Administrative and Clinical Data for Health Information Exchange, and an AHRQ Security and Privacy Contract Update.

• HSA, HDHP - How Will They Work for Payers, Providers, and Patients?
• Attachments Early Adopters Forum
• The Privacy and Security of NPI
• Surviving NPI and Building for the Future Using Ad Hoc Coalitions
• Disaster Recovery and Hurricane Katrina: A Real World Example
• Foundational Principles of EHR Information Exchange and Interoperability for Safe Exchange of Healthcare Information
• NPI Implementation: Lessons Learned at the VHA
• EHR Certification: A Catalyst to Accelerate Healthcare IT Adoption
• When Will We Have a Standard Health ID Card?
• CCHIT and HITSP
• WEDI 835 Special Interest Group Update
• Using Master Data Management for Managing NPI and Legacy Provider ID Relationships
• Coordination of Benefits: Working Towards Compliance
• Real HIPAA Privacy & Security Complaints: How to Prevent Them from Happening o You
• NPI Implementation: Lessons Learned at the VHA

NPI Pre-conference Agenda Released! The conference will kick off with a special NPI pre-conference event on Monday, November 6, and will conclude with a special post-conference session, a WEDI/CAQH CORE Educational Workshop, on Thursday, November 9. Details on these programs and registration information can be found at www.wedi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=198200000044. Separate registration is required for these programs.

Visit the What's New section of the WEDI website, www.wedi.org, or go directly to www.wedi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=198200000044, to view the conference agenda and registration details.

The WEDI 2006 Fall Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix at Civic Plaza. A special room rate of $179/night has been reserved for WEDI Conference attendees. Contact 602-252-1234, or 800-233-1234, and request the WEDI rate no later than October 5.