EDI Codes
EDI Codes is a frequently misused and misunderstood term. The
term EDI Codes is often used to refer to the transaction document that
is being sent using the EDI process. A more accurate definition
of the term EDI Codes however is in describing individual elements
contained in the EDI documents and what they mean to the sender and
recipients of the EDI information. EDI Codes are used to provide
information on the specifics of the document in question.
EDI Codes and Document Types
When discussing EDI codes the first task is to separate proper nomenclature. While
many people use the term "EDI Codes" to refer to EDI documents
(like an EDI 856), the usage is actually incorrect. The proper
term for these types of EDI codes is "EDI transactions" or "EDI
Documents" The EDI Codes are actually the individual elements
of data that are contained within the documents themselves.
EDI Codes within Documents
Within an EDI document the EDI codes are used to describe individual
information. For example, EDI codes are used in identifying containers
used in freight shipments. EDI codes like 22B0 for instance
represent a 20 foot container, the EDI codes 22G0 and 22H0 respectively
represent a 20 foot standard dry container and a 20 foot insulated
container. EDI codes then are the language that make up the EDI
document and the individual pieces that provide detailed information
to the recipient of the documents in question. Another example
of the use of EDI codes is in the transmission of HIPAA-based documents
in the health-care field. The commonwealth of Kentucky specifies
the use of EDI codes 01 through 09 to indicate the type of injury a
claimant has received as part of the HIPAA EDI documents.
EDI Codes and Errors
Another common use for EDI codes is to identify errors in communication
and data. When an EDI document is received with errors a document is
sent in response (for example an EDI 824 Application Advice) that contains
information about the EDI errors in the original document. In
the HIPAA world EDI error codes like 01 and 02 are used to indicate
respectively, an invalid member date of birth an an invalid member. In
this fashion EDI codes are used to provide instant feedback on problems
with EDI transmissions.
Understanding EDI Codes
Understanding EDI codes and their various uses can be a tedious and
time consuming process. Fortunately there are options. While
understanding and deciphering EDI codes related to errors is an important
aspect of using EDI, understanding EDI codes related to individual
documents is not as critical. The reason for this is simple,
most EDI translators can take the EDI codes and make them available
in another, easier to understand format that the user will be able
to cope with - for example a printer report, that will have all the
EDI codes translated into a human readable form. |
