Yes. Entities may combine their companion guides for separate transactions into a single document. The flow and format of the CAQH CORE Master Companion Guide Template would still need to be followed, but sections would need to be repeated, tables added for each additional transaction, etc., without altering the flow and format.
No. Section 4.9 of the CAQH CORE Benefit Enrollment (834) Infrastructure Rule specifies that should an entity publish a companion guide it must conform to the format/flow as defined in the CAQH CORE Master Companion Guide Template.
For many years health plans independently created companion guides that often varied in format and structure. Such variance can be confusing to trading partners and providers.
Yes, HIPAA-covered health plans (or information sources), clearinghouses/switches, or other intermediaries must publish their regularly scheduled system downtime in an appropriate manner (e.g., on websites or in Companion Guides). This allows the healthcare provider to better manage staffing levels.
Yes, the new requirement specifies an additional 24 hours available quarterly in excess of the 17 hours weekly allowable downtime, or 10% of a calendar week.
No, the 24-hour downtime can be taken in any increment of time throughout the calendar, as needed.
No. The system availability requirements apply to Batch and Real Time Processing Modes, with no difference in system availability based on the processing mode. CAQH CORE will conduct research and environmental scans to obtain data on the feasibility of separate system availability requirements in potential future infrastructure updates, as separate requirements may make better business sense as the industry moves to more API-driven interactions between providers and health plans.