Medicare Blog

what is a servicing medicare administrative conractor

by Hershel Romaguera PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

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.Jan 12, 2022

Full Answer

Who are the administrative contractors for Medicare?

Medicare Administrative Contractors Since Medicare’s inception in 1966, private health care insurers have processed medical claims for Medicare beneficiaries. Originally these entities were known as Part A Fiscal Intermediaries (FI) and Part B carriers.

What is the Medicare administrative system Modernization Act?

As a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), however, CMS was authorized to make Medicare’s administrative systems more efficient, competitive and performance-based.

What do Medicare Macs do?

What do MACs do? Medicare providers are assigned to the MAC serving their geographical region. In addition to processing Medicare Part A and B claims, MACs also play an important role in Medicare Part A and B appeals. If a Part A or Part B claim is denied or not handled the way you think it should be, you can appeal the decision.

What is a Medicare Part A Fiscal Intermediary?

Since Medicare’s inception in 1966, private health care insurers have processed medical claims for Medicare beneficiaries. Originally these entities were known as Part A Fiscal Intermediaries (FI) and Part B carriers.

What is the difference between RAC and MAC?

MAC audits are powerful and intrusive procedures that have the potential to lead to serious federal charges for healthcare entities. A Recovery Audit Contractor (“RAC”) reviews claims and identifies overpayments from Medicare so that CMS and other auditors are able to prevent improper payments in the future.

What is a DME MAC?

A Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) is a private insurance company that has a contract with Medicare to process durable medical equipment (DME) claims.

Which has been replaced with Medicare administrative contractors?

In 2003 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was directed via Section 911 of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 to replace the Part A FIs and Part B carriers with A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) in accordance with the Federal Acquisition ...

What is the role of Medicare administrative contractors quizlet?

3. What is the primary purpose of the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)? The primary purpose of the MACs is to process Part A and Part B Medicare claims for a particular jurisdiction.

What does CGS mean in Medicare?

Celerian Group Customer ServiceParent Company Celerian Group. Customer Service Telephone, online, myCGS portal, and CGS Medicare app. Phone Number 866-590-6727. Official Website www.cgsmedicare.com.

How many MACs are there for the DME?

fourThere are also four durable medical equipment (DME) MACs.

What is the difference between excluded services and services that are not reasonable and necessary?

What is the difference between excluded services and services that are not responsible and necessary? Excluded services are not covered under any circumstances, whereas services that are not reasonable and necessary can be covered, but only and only if certain conditions are met.

What is fee-for-service Medicare?

What is fee-for-service? Fee-for-service is a system of health care payment in which a provider is paid separately for each particular service rendered. Original Medicare is an example of fee-for-service coverage, and there are Medicare Advantage plans that also operate on a fee-for-service basis.

What does noridian do for Medicare?

Noridian Healthcare Solutions is the Medicare Administrative Contractor for California and is responsible for processing all Medicare fee-for-service Part A and B claims.

What does the NCCI file indicate?

What does the NCCI file indicate? Indicates specific CPT® code pairs that can be reported on the same day for the same beneficiary by the same provider. Rationale: The NCCI file is a Medicare file that indicates specific CPT code pairs that can be reported on the same day for the same beneficiary by the same provider.

Which Medicare program allows private health plans to administer Medicare contracts?

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare.

Which type of care is not covered by Medicare?

does not cover: Routine dental exams, most dental care or dentures. Routine eye exams, eyeglasses or contacts. Hearing aids or related exams or services.

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).

What is MAC in Medicare?

Medicare providers are assigned to the MAC serving their geographical region. In addition to processing Medicare Part A and B claims , MACs also play an important role in Medicare Part A and B appeals . If a Part A or Part B claim is denied or not handled the way you think it should be, you can appeal the decision.

What jurisdiction is CMS in?

California, along with Nevada, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, are under Jurisdiction E (previously called Jurisdiction 1).

What Is a MAC?

Think of a MAC as a middleperson between you, your doctor and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Each geographic region (also known as jurisdiction) has a specific MAC that handles the payment side of the Medicare fee-for-service program. MACs are also charged with conducting audits and educating providers.

How Many Macs Exist?

Currently, there are 12 Medicare Part A and B MACs that assist with Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). Four of these MACs also process home health and hospice claims in addition to their typical Medicare Part A and Part B claims. There are also four durable medical equipment (DME) MACs.

Why Are MACs Important?

MACs are important because they ensure your doctor gets paid correctly. They also create what’s called local coverage determinations (LCD) based on whether an item or service is considered reasonable and necessary. LCDs exist in the absence of a national coverage policy, and they may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

When Would I Need to Find a Specific LCD?

You might need to find an LCD if you’re filing an LCD challenge. You can do this if you have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B (or both), and you need the item or service that’s not covered by the LCD. However, you need to file your request within six months of the date of the treating doctor’s written statement that you need the item or service.

Current Maps and Lists

To find out who the current A/B and DME MACs are, use these maps and lists to help you determine which MAC is of most interest to you.

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 the DME MAC in each jurisdiction.

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