What is a MAC in Medicare?
MACs are multi-state, regional contractors responsible for administering both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B claims. MACs perform many activities including: Section 911 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 directed CMS to replace the Part A Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) and Part B carriers with MACs.
How many Medicare claims do Macs process each year?
Collectively in FY2020, the MACs processed more than 1.1 billion Medicare FFS claims, comprised of approximately 203 million Part A claims and 909 million Part B claims, and paid out approximately $400 billion in Medicare FFS benefits.
How many a/B Macs process home health and hospice claims?
There are four A/B MACs that process home health and hospice claims in addition to their typical Medicare Part A and Part B claims. Please note that the four HH+H areas do not coincide with the jurisdictional areas covered by these four A/B MACs.
How many Macs are in the Medicare FFS program?
Currently there are 12 A/B MACs and 4 DME MACs in the program that process Medicare FFS claims for nearly 60% of the total Medicare beneficiary population, or 37.5 million Medicare FFS beneficiaries. In Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020), the MACs served more than 1.1 million health care providers who are enrolled in the Medicare FFS program.
What is considered a grievance in Medicare?
A grievance is an expression of dissatisfaction (other than an organization determination) with any aspect of the operations, activities, or behavior of a Medicare health plan, or its providers, regardless of whether remedial action is requested.
What is a Medicare ombudsman?
The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman helps you with complaints, grievances, and information requests about Medicare. They make sure information is available to help you: Make health care decisions that are right for you. Understand your Medicare rights and protections. Get your Medicare issues resolved.
How do I report to CMS?
How to File a Complaint.CMS, on behalf of HHS, enforces HIPAA Administrative Simplification requirements.Go to ASETT.CMS.GOV.Upon logging in, click the "New Complaint" button on the welcome page.Click “Complaint Type” and select the issue you are reporting.More items...
How do I ask Medicare a question?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
What can an ombudsman do?
A California ombudsman essentially helps senior victims of abuse or neglect to understand their rights within the legal system and reach a proper resolution. Ombudsman services are provided free of charge to long-term care residents and families. The complaints you make to the ombudsman are confidential.
How can Medicare problems be resolved?
Your plan is the best resource to resolve plan related issues. Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Call 1-800-633-4227, TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. If your concern is related to Original Medicare, or if your plan was unable to resolve your inquiry, contact 1-800-MEDICARE for help.
Which is an example of Medicare abuse?
One example of Medicare abuse is when a doctor makes a mistake on a billing invoice and inadvertently asks for a non-deserved reimbursement. Medicare waste involves the overutilization of services that results in unnecessary costs to Medicare.
What is the purpose of CMS reporting?
The purpose of Section 111 reporting is to enable CMS to pay appropriately for Medicare-covered items and services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.
How do I start a Medicare claim?
Contact your doctor or supplier, and ask them to file a claim. If they don't file a claim, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048. Ask for the exact time limit for filing a Medicare claim for the service or supply you got.
What is the best Medicare helpline?
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can help. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?
If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.
How do I contact my local Medicare office?
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.
What is a Medigap policy?
Medigap: A Medigap policy meets the statutory definition of a "Medicare supplemental policy" contained in Section 1882 (g) (1) of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the definition contained in the NAIC Model Regulation, which is incorporated by reference to the statute.
What is a CMS-1500?
The CMS-1500 claim form answers the needs of many insurers. It is the basic form prescribed by the Centers of Medica re & Medicaid Services ( CMS) for the Medicare program for claims from physicians and suppliers.
Can you submit paper claims electronically?
Even if you qualify to submit paper claims, consider submitting electronically.
Do you list other supplemental coverage in item 9?
Do not list other supplemental coverage in Item 9 and its subdivisions at the time a Medicare claim is filed. Other supplemental claims are forwarded automatically to the private insurer if the private insurer contracts with the carrier to send Medicare claim information electronically.
What are the first three files for SNF?
The first three files are to be used for services provided to beneficiaries in a Part A covered Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) stay. Codes that can be separately billed to the Part B MAC by physicians, non-physician practitioners, and suppliers (other than ambulance suppliers) are found in Files 1 and 2. If the code is not found in either of these two files, the service is subject to SNF consolidated billing and the physician, non-physician practitioner, or supplier must look to the SNF for payment of the service. The MAC will not pay the service.
Does the MAC pay for Part B?
The Part B MAC will not pay the service. The services are separately payable by the MAC when submitted with any other origin/destination modifier. File 4 is only to be used for services rendered to beneficiaries in a Part B non-covered stay.
Jurisdiction J Part B MAC
The telephone hotline 1-833-820-6138 has been created for providers and suppliers to initiate provisional temporary Medicare billing privileges and address questions regarding provider enrollment flexibilities afforded by the COVID-19 waiver. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Learn More
COVID-19 Provider Enrollment and Accelerated Payment Telephone Hotline
The telephone hotline 1-833-820-6138 has been created for providers and suppliers to initiate provisional temporary Medicare billing privileges and address questions regarding provider enrollment flexibilities afforded by the COVID-19 waiver. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Learn More
What's a MAC and what do they do?
A Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) is a private health care insurer that has been awarded a geographic jurisdiction to process Medicare Part A and Part B (A/B) medical claims or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims for Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries.
DME MACs
The DME MACs process Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Orthotics, and Prosthetics (DMEPOS) claims for a defined geographic area or "jurisdiction", servicing suppliers of DMEPOS. Learn more about DME MACs at Who are the MACs.
Relationships between MACs and Functional Contractors
MACs work with multiple functional contractors to administer the full FFS operational environment. Learn more about the relationships between the MACs and the functional contractors by viewing the diagram of MACs: The Hub of the Medicare FFS Program (PDF) and reading about what the functional contractors do at Functional Contractors Overview (PDF).
When does Medicare extend the filing limit?
Medicare will extend the timely filing limit through the last day of the sixth month following the month in which the beneficiary, provider or supplier received notification of Medicare entitlement retroactive to or before the date of the furnished service. Retroactive Medicare Entitlement Involving State Medicaid Agencies.
How long does it take for a Medicaid reimbursement to be recouped?
A state Medicaid agency recoups payment from a provider or supplier six months or more after the date the service was furnished to a dually eligible beneficiary. Medicare will extend the timely filing limit through the last day of the sixth month following the month in which a state Medicaid agency recovered Medicaid payment from a provider ...
When did Medicare FFS start?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) signed into law on March 23, 2010, by President Obama included a provision which amended the time period for filing Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims. This provision was aimed at curbing fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program. Under the law, claims for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, must be filed within one calendar year (12 months) after the "through" date of service on the claim.
What is MAC report?
A written report by the agency (Medicare, Social Security Administration (SSA), or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)) based on agency records, describing how its error caused failure to file within the usual time limit