Trading Partner Agreements

A Trading Partner Agreement (TPA), defined in 45 CFR 160.163 of the transaction and code set rule, is a contract between parties who have chosen to exchange information electronically.  The TPA stipulates the general terms and conditions by which the partners agree to exchange information electronically.  The document defines participant roles, communication, privacy and security requirements, and identifies the electronic documents to be exchanged.  TPAs are used by all entities that wish to establish an electronic relationship with the N.C. Medicaid program.  TPAs must be on file prior to testing electronic transactions with N.C. Medicaid.

Note:  Providers who contract with billing services or clearinghouses will not establish a TPA directly with N.C. Medicaid.  

Trading Partner Agreement form

Related Links

• Federal Office of Civil Rights - HIPAA Privacy
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange
• Strategic National Implementation Process
• Washington Publishing Company