EDI 834 Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance

Functional Group BE

X12N Insurance Subcommittee

This X12 Transaction Set contains the format and establishes the data contents of the Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance Transaction Set (834) for use within the context of an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment. This transaction set can be used to establish communication between the sponsor of the insurance product and the payer. Such transaction(s) may or may not take place through a third party administrator (TPA). For the purpose of this standard, the sponsor is the party or entity that ultimately pays for the coverage, benefit or product. A sponsor can be an employer, union, government agency, association, or insurance agency. The payer refers to an entity that pays claims, administers the insurance product or benefit, or both. A payer can be an insurance company, health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), government agency (Medicare, Medicaid, Champus, etc.), or an entity that may be contracted by one of these former groups. For the purpose of the 834 transaction set, a third party administrator (TPA) can be contracted by a sponsor to handle data gathering from those covered by the sponsor if the sponsor does not elect to perform this function itself.

What is an EDI 834?

An EDI 834 Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance is sent from employers to insurance providers to communicate health insurance details about employees. It contains information about the sponsor and the insurance company (N1 segment), the person to be enrolled (NM1 segment), and eligibility / benefit information (HD segment). It must be HIPAA 00510 compliant.

How is an EDI 834 used?

For example, an Employer A submits an EDI 834 Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance to Insurance Provider B to enroll a new employee into the corporate health care plan.

Heading

1. 0100 · ST · Transaction Set Header · Max 1 · Mandatory

   To indicate the start of a transaction set and to assign a control number

2. 0200 · BGN · Beginning Segment · Max 1 · Mandatory

   To indicate the beginning of a transaction set

3. 0300 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

   To specify identifying information

4. 0400 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

   To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

5. 0500 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max >1 · Optional

   To indicate the total monetary amount

   The AMT segment is used to record the total Flexible Spending Account contributions in the transaction set.

6. 0600 · QTY · Quantity Information · Max >1 · Optional

   To specify quantity information

   The QTY segment is used to record the total number of subscribers and dependents in the transaction set.

7. 1000 Loop Mandatory Repeat >1

   1. 0700 · N1 · Party Identification · Max 1 · Mandatory

      To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code

      At least one iteration of loop 1000 is required to identify the sender or receiver.

   2. 0800 · N2 · Additional Name Information · Max 2 · Optional

      To specify additional names

   3. 0900 · N3 · Party Location · Max 2 · Optional

      To specify the location of the named party

   4. 1000 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

      To specify the geographic place of the named party

   5. 1100 · PER · Administrative Communications Contact · Max 3 · Optional

      To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

   6. 1100 Loop Optional Repeat 10

      1. 1200 · ACT · Account Identification · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To specify account information

      2. 1300 · REF · Reference Information · Max 5 · Optional

         To specify identifying information

      3. 1400 · N3 · Party Location · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify the location of the named party

      4. 1500 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify the geographic place of the named party

      5. 1600 · PER · Administrative Communications Contact · Max 5 · Optional

         To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

      6. 1700 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      7. 1800 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 1 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

Detail

1. 2000 Loop Optional Repeat >1

   1. 0100 · INS · Insured Benefit · Max 1 · Mandatory

      To provide benefit information on insured entities

      A Subscriber is a person who elects the benefits and is affiliated with the employer or the insurer. A Dependent is a person who is affiliated with the subscriber, such as a spouse, child, etc., and is therefore entitled to benefits. Subscriber information must come before dependent information. The INS segment is used to note if information being submitted is subscriber information or dependent information.

   2. 0200 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Mandatory

      To specify identifying information

      The REF segment is required to link the dependent(s) to the subscriber.

   3. 0250 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

      To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

   4. 2100 Loop Optional Repeat >1

      1. 0300 · NM1 · Individual or Organizational Name · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To supply the full name of an individual or organizational entity

      2. 0400 · PER · Administrative Communications Contact · Max 1 · Optional

         To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

      3. 0500 · N3 · Party Location · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify the location of the named party

      4. 0600 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify the geographic place of the named party

      5. 0800 · DMG · Demographic Information · Max 1 · Optional

         To supply demographic information

      6. 0900 · PM · Electronic Funds Transfer Information · Max 1 · Optional

         To supply information on the electronic funds transfer (EFT) method of payment

      7. 1000 · EC · Employment Class · Max >1 · Optional

         To provide class of employment information

      8. 1100 · ICM · Individual Income · Max 1 · Optional

         To supply information to determine benefit eligibility, deductibles, and retirement and investment contributions

      9. 1200 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 10 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

      10. 1300 · HLH · Health Information · Max 1 · Optional

          To provide health information

      11. 1400 · HI · Health Care Information Codes · Max 10 · Optional

          To supply information related to the delivery of health care

      12. 1500 · LUI · Language Use · Max >1 · Optional

          To specify language, type of usage, and proficiency or fluency

   5. 2200 Loop Optional Repeat 4

      1. 2000 · DSB · Disability Information · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To supply disability information

      2. 2100 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 10 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      3. 2200 · AD1 · Adjustment Amount · Max 10 · Optional

         To specify the characteristics of an adjustment

   6. 2300 Loop Optional Repeat 99

      1. 2600 · HD · Health Coverage · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To provide information on health coverage

      2. 2700 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 10 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      3. 2800 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 3 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

      4. 2900 · REF · Reference Information · Max 5 · Optional

         To specify identifying information

      5. 3000 · IDC · Identification Card · Max >1 · Optional

         To provide notification to produce replacement identification card(s)

      6. 2310 Loop Optional Repeat 30

         1. 3100 · LX · Transaction Set Line Number · Max 1 · Mandatory

            To reference a line number in a transaction set

            Loop 2310 contains information about the primary care providers for the subscriber or the dependent, and about the beneficiaries of any employer-sponsored life insurance for the subscriber.

         2. 3200 · NM1 · Individual or Organizational Name · Max 1 · Optional

            To supply the full name of an individual or organizational entity

            Either NM1 or N1 will be included depending on whether an individual or organization is being specified.

         3. 3300 · N1 · Party Identification · Max 3 · Optional

            To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code

         4. 3400 · N2 · Additional Name Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify additional names

         5. 3500 · N3 · Party Location · Max 2 · Optional

            To specify the location of the named party

         6. 3600 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 2 · Optional

            To specify the geographic place of the named party

         7. 3700 · PER · Administrative Communications Contact · Max 2 · Optional

            To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

         8. 3800 · PRV · Provider Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify the identifying characteristics of a provider

         9. 3900 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 6 · Optional

            To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

         10. 3950 · PLA · Place or Location · Max 1 · Optional

             To indicate action to be taken for the location specified and to qualify the location specified

      7. 2320 Loop Optional Repeat 5

         1. 4000 · COB · Coordination of Benefits · Max 1 · Mandatory

            To supply information on coordination of benefits

         2. 4050 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

            To specify identifying information

         3. 4070 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 2 · Optional

            To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

         4. 2330 Loop Optional Repeat 3

            1. 4100 · NM1 · Individual or Organizational Name · Max 1 · Mandatory

               To supply the full name of an individual or organizational entity

            2. 4200 · N2 · Additional Name Information · Max 1 · Optional

               To specify additional names

            3. 4300 · N3 · Party Location · Max 2 · Optional

               To specify the location of the named party

            4. 4400 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

               To specify the geographic place of the named party

            5. 4500 · PER · Administrative Communications Contact · Max 1 · Optional

               To identify a person or office to whom administrative communications should be directed

   7. 2400 Loop Optional Repeat 10

      1. 4600 · LC · Life Coverage · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To provide information on life coverage

      2. 4700 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 5 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

      3. 4800 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 2 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      4. 4850 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

         To specify identifying information

      5. 2410 Loop Optional Repeat 20

         1. 4900 · BEN · Beneficiary or Owner Information · Max 1 · Mandatory

            To supply beneficiary, co-participant, and owner information

         2. 5000 · NM1 · Individual or Organizational Name · Max 1 · Optional

            To supply the full name of an individual or organizational entity

         3. 5100 · N1 · Party Identification · Max 1 · Optional

            To identify a party by type of organization, name, and code

         4. 5200 · N2 · Additional Name Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify additional names

         5. 5300 · N3 · Party Location · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify the location of the named party

         6. 5400 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify the geographic place of the named party

         7. 5420 · DMG · Demographic Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To supply demographic information

   8. 2500 Loop Optional Repeat 5

      1. 5500 · FSA · Flexible Spending Account · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To supply flexible spending account information

         Loop 2500 may only appear for the Subscriber.

      2. 5600 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 10 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

      3. 5700 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max 10 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      4. 5750 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

         To specify identifying information

   9. 2600 Loop Optional Repeat >1

      1. 5800 · RP · Retirement Product · Max 1 · Mandatory

         To specify the retirement product characteristics

      2. 5900 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

         To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      3. 5920 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

         To specify identifying information

      4. 5940 · INV · Investment Vehicle Selection · Max >1 · Optional

         To specify type of investment vehicle or account and other basic data about the investment

      5. 5960 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 20 · Optional

         To indicate the total monetary amount

      6. 5970 · QTY · Quantity Information · Max 20 · Optional

         To specify quantity information

      7. 5980 · K3 · File Information · Max 3 · Optional

         To transmit a fixed-format record or matrix contents

      8. 6000 · REL · Relationship · Max 1 · Optional

         To specify relationship and birth order of entity

      9. 2610 Loop Optional Repeat >1

         1. 6100 · NM1 · Individual or Organizational Name · Max 1 · Mandatory

            To supply the full name of an individual or organizational entity

         2. 6300 · N2 · Additional Name Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To specify additional names

         3. 6510 · DMG · Demographic Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To supply demographic information

         4. 6520 · BEN · Beneficiary or Owner Information · Max 1 · Optional

            To supply beneficiary, co-participant, and owner information

         5. 6530 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

            To specify identifying information

         6. 2620 Loop Optional Repeat >1

            1. 6540 · NX1 · Property or Entity Identification · Max 1 · Mandatory

               To define the attributes of a property or an entity

            2. 6550 · N3 · Party Location · Max 1 · Optional

               To specify the location of the named party

            3. 6560 · N4 · Geographic Location · Max 1 · Optional

               To specify the geographic place of the named party

            4. 6570 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

               To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

      10. 2630 Loop Optional Repeat >1

          1. 6600 · FC · Financial Contribution · Max 1 · Mandatory

             To specify the financial contribution information

          2. 6700 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

             To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

          3. 2640 Loop Optional Repeat >1

             1. 6780 · INV · Investment Vehicle Selection · Max 1 · Mandatory

                To specify type of investment vehicle or account and other basic data about the investment

             2. 6790 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

                To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

             3. 6800 · QTY · Quantity Information · Max >1 · Optional

                To specify quantity information

             4. 6810 · ENT · Entity · Max >1 · Optional

                To designate the entities which are parties to a transaction and specify a reference meaningful to those entities

             5. 6820 · REF · Reference Information · Max >1 · Optional

                To specify identifying information

             6. 6830 · AMT · Monetary Amount Information · Max 20 · Optional

                To indicate the total monetary amount

             7. 6840 · K3 · File Information · Max 3 · Optional

                To transmit a fixed-format record or matrix contents

      11. 2650 Loop Optional Repeat >1

          1. 6850 · AIN · Income · Max 1 · Mandatory

             To provide type and amount of income obtained

          2. 6860 · QTY · Quantity Information · Max >1 · Optional

             To specify quantity information

          3. 6870 · DTP · Date or Time or Period · Max >1 · Optional

             To specify any or all of a date, a time, or a time period

2. 6900 · SE · Transaction Set Trailer · Max 1 · Mandatory

   To indicate the end of the transaction set and provide the count of the transmitted segments (including the beginning (ST) and ending (SE) segments)