Health care providers in Minnesota are now required to use electronic billing for health care claims as part of a new law that state officials say will save millions of dollars in health care administrative costs each year.

The law, which went into effect Wednesday, covers about 60,000 providers, including doctors, hospitals, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacies and others. The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that when the law is fully implemented, requiring the electronic exchange of routine health care business transactions will save the health care system more than $60 million a year.

The new requirements call for providers to bill for their services electronically rather than on paper, using a single, standard data content and format, and for payers to accept the electronic bills. The new requirements don't change the nature of transactions between consumers and their providers or health plans.


The regulations apply to all health care providers who provide services for a fee in Minnesota and who are also eligible for reimbursement under the state's medical assistance program.

More information about the health care e-billing initiative is available at http://www.health.state.mn.us or by calling (800) 657-3793.