A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Award Update

From: 18 existing FFS provider listservs [mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of CMS CMSProviderResource
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 4:18 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Award Update

The Medicare Administrative Contractor (A/B MAC) award for Jurisdiction 12 (J12) has been restored to Highmark Medicare Services (HMS) of Camp Hill , Pennsylvania .  All of the workload will be transitioned into the new MAC contract by the end of 2008.

This announcement follows the resolution of a protest filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the A/B MAC award made under solicitation CMS-2006-0033 and announced by CMS on October 24, 2007.

Highmark Medicare Services will be the A/B MAC for the states of Pennsylvania , New Jersey , Maryland , Delaware , and the District of Columbia and will serve as the first point of contact for the processing and payment of Medicare fee-for-service claims from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physicians and other health care practitioners in this geographical area.

For more information go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareContractingReform and click on "What's New" on the left.

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In the U.S. , the peak of flu season typically occurs anywhere from late December through March; however, flu season can last as late as May. Each office visit presents an opportunity for you to talk with your patients about the importance of getting an annual flu shot and a one time pneumococcal vaccination.  Protect yourself, your patients, and your family and friends by getting and giving the flu shot. Don't Get the Flu. Don't Give the Flu. Get Vaccinated!

Remember - Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and their administration are covered Part B benefits.  Note that influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are NOT Part D covered drugs.  You and your staff can learn more about Medicare's coverage of adult immunizations and related provider education resources, by reviewing Special Edition MLN Matters article SE0748  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0748.pdf on the CMS website.

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