First Medical Health Plan of Puerto Rico Deploys Edifecs and Microsoft Technologies to Achieve HIPAA 5010 Compliance

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Edifecs, Inc., a leader in Healthcare Channel Modernization solutions for HIPAA 5010 and ICD-10, announced today that First Medical Health Plan of Puerto Rico (First Medical) has deployed Edifecs and Microsoft technologies to achieve HIPAA 5010 compliance while modernizing its healthcare transaction processing infrastructure.

First Medical deployed a joint solution comprising of Edifecs products, including Edifecs XEngine and SpecBuilder, along with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2009, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 implemented in collaboration with Infocorp.

While its primary objective was to be able to achieve the Level 1 (1/1/2011) and Level 2 (1/1/2012) compliance deadlines mandated by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), First Medical was also seeking to improve transaction processing performance and visibility, while addressing support issues with a legacy platform that could not keep up with the organization's growing requirements for transaction processing performance, visibility and support for legacy platforms.

"We have been exceptionally pleased with the performance of the Edifecs-Microsoft joint solution; it addresses our serious challenges with performance, product support, and 5010 transaction standards support in our existing systems," said Melvin Velez, Information Technology Director, First Medical Health Plan. "The unparalleled visibility into errors and status of transaction business documents provides us the tools to improve our responsiveness to our beneficiaries. The improved customer service enhances our reputation as a health plan that is easy to do business with and that is focused on delivering value to members, providers and employer groups."

"Our vision is to help our customers achieve HIPAA 5010 compliance using the Edifecs Unified Channel, which provides a single and consistent set of testing, compliance and visibility tools across electronic, paper, web and other transaction channels," said Manish Kedia, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Customers Management, Edifecs. "Our Unified Channel vision allows our customers to achieve operational efficiencies, remain competitive and stay up-to-date with compliance requirements," Kedia added.

"The combination of Microsoft and Edifecs solutions, implemented by Infocorp, has helped First Medical Health Plan of Puerto Rico not only meet impending compliance deadlines, but also improve processing and solve legacy support issues," said Hector Rodriguez, Technology Strategist, Health Plans Industry Solutions, Microsoft. "By leveraging Edifecs' solutions in conjunction with Microsoft platform products such as BizTalk Server 2009, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008, we are able to provide customers with enterprise ready and interoperable solutions that address their immediate business challenges while preparing them for future needs."

To learn more about the joint Edifecs-Microsoft solution, please contact [email protected] or visit www.edifecs.com.

About Edifecs

An industry leader since 1996, Edifecs provides healthcare software and solutions that automate exchange of information between health plans, hospitals, pharmacy benefit managers and other healthcare organizations. Edifecs' healthcare offerings enable compliance with current mandates, improve governance through enhanced end-to-end visibility and enhance operational efficiency by reducing costs.

Edifecs has more than 350 healthcare customers (that include Blue Plans, Medicaid, State and Federal agencies, Healthcare Providers) and partners such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, TIBCO, Informatica and Axway.

Edifecs has been recognized as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies in Washington State, 100 Best Places to Work for in Washington State, and Inc.5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the US. Edifecs is headquartered in Bellevue, WA. Company website: www.edifecs.com.

SOURCE Edifecs, Inc.