
What is a Medicare Advantage medical office (Mao)?
As Medicare Advantage enrollment continues to grow, MAOs play an increasingly critical role in ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries have access to medically necessary covered services and that providers are reimbursed appropriately.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for: 1 People who are 65 or older 2 Certain younger people with disabilities 3 People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)
What is the difference between an Mao and MA plan?
An MAO is the legal entity that has a contract with the Medicare program to provide coverage. An MA plan is the package of Medicare benefits offered by the MAO to the beneficiary.
What is a MAPD plan for Medicare?
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans offer an alternative way for eligible beneficiaries to receive their Medicare benefits. These bundled, convenient plans also include coverage for prescription medications.

What is a MAO plan?
In 1958, Mao announced his plan for the Great Leap Forward, which he laid out as a five-year plan to improve the economic prosperity of the People's Republic of China. He devised the plan after touring China and concluding that he felt the Chinese people were capable of anything.
What is an MAO 004?
The MAO-004 report informs Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) and other entities participating in the Medicare Advantage program1 about the risk adjustment eligibility of diagnoses submitted on Encounter Data and Chart Review records.
Which is an example of a first tier entity?
A First Tier Entity could include the following: Administrative Services. Healthcare services to a Medicare-eligible individual under the Medicare Advantage program or Part D program. (Independent practice association, Hospital, PHO)
What defines a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare health plan offered by private companies that are Medicare-approved. They are considered an alternative to Original Medicare and cover all the expenses incurred under Medicare. They include the same Part A hospital and Part B medical coverage, but not hospice care.
What is CMS MMR report?
1. Monthly Membership Report (MMR) Data File Updates. In an initiative to supply current information about plan payment, CMS will stop populating information for several outdated/obsolete fields on the MMR Data File.
How is a best chart described in terms of a RADV audit sample?
A “best chart” is generally defined as: A face-to-face chart note that validates the requested HCC and validates an additional HCC not being audited, and contains all the necessary documentation elements (name, date of service, acceptable provider type, valid signature and credentials or an attestation if required).
What is a downstream entity Medicare?
The term downstream entity means any party that enters into an acceptable written arrangement below the level of the arrangement between an MA organization (and contract applicant) and a first tier entity.
What is first tier entity Medicare Advantage?
First Tier Entity is any party that enters into a written arrangement, acceptable to CMS, with a Medicare Advantage Organization or Part D plan sponsor or applicant to provide administrative services or healthcare services to a Medicare eligible individual under the Medicare Advantage program or Part D program.
What is a downstream provider?
downstream provider means an entity or individual that is contracted by a First Tier Entity to provide services to Enrollees. A Downstream Provider includes, but is not limited to physicians, ancillary providers, and other health care providers.
What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.
What are the 4 types of Medicare?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
What are the top 3 Medicare Advantage plans?
The Best Medicare Advantage Provider by State Local plans can be high-quality and reasonably priced. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare earn the highest rankings among the national carriers in many states.
What is Medicare Advantage Plan?
There are two main ways for beneficiaries to receive Medicare coverage—Original Medicare(Part A and Part B benefits) or aMedicare Advantage plan (Part C), which is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide, at a minimum, Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans may also offer coverage of supplemental health benefits that are not covered by Medicare Parts A or B.
Do MA plans cover Medicare?
MA plans must provide enrollees with all Medicare Part A and Part B services. MA plans that limit enrollees to a specified network of providers and suppliers must ensure that all Medicare-covered services are available and accessible under the plan. In order to do so, MA plans will need to contract with Medicare-enrolled MDPP suppliers to provide MDPP services to their enrollees or the MA plan may enroll in Medicare as an MDPP supplier itself. MDPP services rendered to enrollees in-network must be provided without cost-sharing. MA plans that permit enrollees to use out-of-network providers and suppliers may require enrollees to pay cost-sharing for MDPP services furnished out-of-network; however, MA plans are still required to cover MDPP services without cost-sharing if MDPP services cannot be provided in-network because there is no in-network provider.
Can Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive MDPP?
Medicare beneficiaries, including Medicare Advantage enrollees, who meet MDPP eligibility requirements are entitled to receive only one set of MDPP services in their lifetime. MA plans have the option to offer, as a supplemental benefit, an extended length of coverage for these services. MA plans may also offer, as supplemental benefit, diabetes prevention services in a 100% virtual format and other types of prediabetes services that do not qualify as MDPP services; however, we note that services offered as a supplemental benefit are not MDPP services, and cannot be used as a substitute for the provision of MDPP services under Part B. To aid MDPP suppliers in complying with the once-per-lifetime coverage requirement, CMS is exploring how existing systems can be used to verify whether beneficiaries have previously received MDPP services through Original Medicare, and intends to release additional details on this support in the future. MDPP suppliers may need to rely on beneficiary attestation or information from the MAO to determine whether a beneficiary has previously received MDPP services under Part C coverage.
What is MAO 002?
The MAO-002 report indicates whether an encounter data record has been “Accepted” or “Rejected.” The Phase III version 3 MAO-004 report includes diagnoses from almost all of the Encounter Data System (EDS) accepted records. The MAO-004 indicates whether the diagnoses are “Allowed” or “Disallowed” depending on whether they pass the CMS filtering logic. To pass the filtering logic, the diagnosis must be submitted on an encounter data record with an acceptable type of bill and/or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)/ Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code, depending on the type of submission.
What is the ICN of 277CA?
If an Encounter Data Record (EDR) is accepted , the 277 CA will provide the Internal Control Number (ICN) assigned to that encounter. The ICN segment of the 277CA for the accepted encounter will be located in 2200D REF segment, REF01=IK and REF02=ICN. The ICN is a unique 13 - digit number. For
Does MAO 004 report indicate diagnosis?
Yes , the MAO-004 report will indicate diagnoses that do not pass the CMS filtering logic with a “D”, in the allowed/disallowed flag field, meaning the diagnoses were reported but are disallowed for risk adjustment. The allowed/disallowed flag field is included to help MAOs or other entities determine which records accepted on the MAO-002 report passed the CMS filtering logic as reported on the MAO-004 report Source: CMS HPMS Memo with subject “Phase III Version 3 MAO-004 Report Release Date and Announcement Regarding Final Encounter Data Deadlines for Payment Years 2016-17” (December 20, 2017)
Can MAOs delete a chart?
Yes, however, MAOs should include only the diagnosis codes they want to delete on linked chart review delete records. The primary diagnosis on a chart review is not required to match the primary diagnosis on the encounter it is associated with.
Can I report a Medicare claim with the same HICN?
Yes, as long as the member is the same member, either the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) or the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) may be reported. For example, if the encounter is submitted with the HICN and the linked Chart Review Record is submitted with the MBI, the linked Chart Review Record will be accepted.
Can MAOs submit information to CMS?
No, MAOs and other entities may not submit information on behalf of dialysis centers. CMS obtains information regarding the start of dialysis and transplant status from reports that dialysis facilities directly submit to CMS.
Does CMS have a default NPI?
No, CMS does not provide a default National Provider Identifier (NPI) for unlinked chart review records. CMS released clarifying guidance on NPI fields in the December 21, 2017, Health Plan Management System (HPMS) memo “Encounter Data Record Submissions—NPI Submission Guidance—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).” This information is also included in Section 3.5.2 of the Encounter Data Submission and Processing Guide. Default NPIs can be used when the provider is considered atypical, when the service was provided outside of the country by a foreign provider, or when a beneficiary submits a claim for member reimbursement.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans offer an alternative way for eligible beneficiaries to receive their Medicare benefits. These bundled, convenient plans also include coverage for prescription medications.
What is the number to call for Medicare?
1-800-557-6059 | TTY 711, 24/7. When you qualify for Medicare, you have two options: One is to enroll in Original Medicare, which is comprised of Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Medicare Part B medical insurance. Alternatively, you could choose an all-in-one Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, also called Medicare Part C.
What are the different types of MAPD plans?
There are various types of MAPD plans available. Depending on your location, the types of plans that may be available can typically include: 1 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans – These plans typically use a specified provider network, and services received outside of the network aren’t covered except in the case of emergency care. 2 Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans – These plans will pay for services received outside of the provider network, but they will be less expensive if you stay within the network. Because these plans are less restrictive than an HMO plan, premium costs are typically higher. 3 Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans – A PFFS plan can provide greater flexibility, as you aren’t required to select a primary care physician and you are typically not restricted to a provider network. 4 Special Needs Plans (SNPs) – These plans can provide tailored care for those with specific chronic medical conditions, people with low incomes or care home residents.
What are MAPD plans?
These plans are called MAPD plans. Examples of some of the benefits some Medicare Advantage plans may offer can include medications, gym membership, wellness programs, vision and dental care. Some MA plans even provide coverage for alternative therapies, meal delivery and transportation services.
What is deductible in Medicare?
A deductible is the amount of money the beneficiary must pay for covered health care services before their Medicare Advantage plan begins to pay. For most health care services, you'll pay the full cost until the deductible is paid. After this, you will then pay either coinsurance or a copayment.
What is a formulary in a prescription plan?
These plans use a drug list called a formulary that outlines the covered prescription drugs for that plan. The formulary organizes medicines into pricing tiers, with tier 1 generic drugs typically being the least costly. The amount you pay for medication depends on the tier.
Is MAPD more affordable than Medicare?
If you are considering an MAPD plan, it's worth taking time to compare the coverage details for each of the available plans in your area. An MAPD plan may offer more affordable coverage than Original Medicare, but more rules to follow.
What is Medicare for people 65 and older?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for: People who are 65 or older. Certain younger people with disabilities. People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)
What is deductible in Medicare?
deductible. The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or your other insurance begins to pay. at the start of each year, and you usually pay 20% of the cost of the Medicare-approved service, called coinsurance.
Do you pay Medicare premiums if you are working?
You usually don't pay a monthly premium for Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working. This is sometimes called "premium-free Part A."
Does Medicare Advantage cover vision?
Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, dental, and more. Medicare Advantage Plans have yearly contracts with Medicare and must follow Medicare’s coverage rules. The plan must notify you about any changes before the start of the next enrollment year.
Does Medicare cover all of the costs of health care?
Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?
Medicare drug coverage helps pay for prescription drugs you need. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage (this includes Medicare drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with drug coverage).
