(a) Data Submission Guide standards.

1. (1) The administrator, in consultation with the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative Board will develop and make publicly available a Data Submission Guide that will be used to evaluate data submissions, including minimum completion rates (''thresholds") as well as detailed information about criteria tested in automated reviews.
2. (2) The administrator will provide a periodic update of data submission standards to facilitate submitting entities' creation of files that conform to the DSG.
3. (3) In developing the DSG the administrator will consult with organizations such as the APCD Council in order to examine appropriate APCD Core Standard provisions.

(b) Revisions to Data Submission Guide.

1. (1)

   1. (A) The administrator may make material DSG revisions no more than once per year.
   2. (B) Material DSG revisions include:

(i) Adding new data elements;

1. (ii) Adding new codes to existing data elements; or

   1. (iii) Otherwise significantly amending the DSG.
   2. (C) Submitting entities will have thirty (30) days to review and comment on the proposed revisions.
   3. (D) The administrator will review the comments with the initiative board and Insurance Commissioner prior to issuing a revised DSG.
   4. (E) The initiative board shall approve material DSG revisions.
   5. (F) The commissioner will post a final revised version on the State Insurance Department’s website.
   6. (G) The revised DSG will be effective for the files to be submitted not less than one hundred twenty (120) days after the posting date on the department’s website.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The administrator may make technical corrections to the DSG at any time.

   2. (B) Technical corrections are:

      1. (i) Simple revisions to formatting of existing data elements;
      2. (ii) The addition of codes to existing data elements;
      3. (iii) Changes to thresholds that can be accommodated by updated exceptions; and
      4. (iv) Those intended to clarify or otherwise expedite the process of submitting files that conform to the DSG.
   3. (C) Submitting entities will have one hundred twenty (120) days to implement a technical correction.

3. (3) The administrator will notify submitting entities about all material and technical revisions, including the start and end of comment periods for material revisions.

   1. (c) Manner of data submission.
4. (1) Submitting entities will submit data in accordance with the manner outlined in the DSG and in compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule or any applicable state law that is more restrictive than the HIPAA Security Rule.
5. (2) Except as provided in this part, a bulletin, an order, or a directive issued by the commissioner, each submitting entity shall provide data in the form and manner set forth in this part and according to the applicable version of the Data Submission Guide and at such times set forth in any applicable submission schedules.