The following are a series of questions that you should consider asking your practice management software (PMS) vendor: 

• Will the version of your software product that I currently use be able to send to all payers a claim/encounter form in the HIPAA standard X12 837 content and data format?
•  Have your transactions been tested and certified by a third party as offering a “HIPAA-compliant” software modification?
• When will you be ready to upgrade my system (ask for a specific date in writing)?
• Will the modifications require a new version of my PMS software?
• Will I need any new hardware to support these modifications?
• When will you be sending me a schedule of testing that includes:

> Internal Testing?
> Testing with a clearinghouse (if applicable)?
> Testing with Medicare?
> Testing with commercial payers? 

• Can I upgrade to the various standards incrementally (i.e., can my system generate HIPAA-compliant X12837 claims immediately and then move to the other transactions standards at a later time)?
• Will my modified system accept the National Provider Identifier (NPI) number (expected to be a ten-digit numeric number)?
• Do you offer a product or service that will assist me in completing my “gap analysis” (moving my practice from the paper 1500 form to the 837 electronic form will require additional data elements)?
• Will you be providing training for this modification?
• What are the expected costs?