COB News
Volume 4, January 2004
Coordination of Benefits (COB) News is a quarterly newsletter for Medicare contractors, employers, and others interested in Medicare COB.
Inside This Issue:
COB Web Site Update
The Coordination of Benefits (COB) Contractor has updated its Web site located at www.cms.hhs.gov/medicare/cob. Following are some of the changes to the site in an effort to make it more informative:
COB Home Page
The COB Home Page was updated to include the distinction of the roles that the COB Contractor, the local contractor, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) play in the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) process. A customer survey was added to obtain information from users on how to improve the COB Web site.
Beneficiary and Advocates Page
A new Secondary Claim Development (SCD) section was added that includes the ability to view the SCD questionnaire and a step-by-step guide for completing this form. Information on permanent kidney failure/End-Stage Renal Disease, group health insurance (GHP), No-fault and liability insurance, and workers' compensation (WC) will be available from this page.
Provider Services Page
An explanation of the Trauma Development process was added to this section. The role of the provider in obtaining MSP information is discussed and the use and importance of the Provider Intake Questionnaire. A sample provider questionnaire along with instructions is available on the Web site.
Employer Services Page
A new Coordination of Benefits and You page that provides Medicare MSP information specific to employers has been added to this page. Additionally, a new section on permanent kidney failure (End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)) was added to explain the intricacies of determining the primary payer for beneficiaries entitled to Medicare based on permanent kidney failure will be available to employers. New information on the Beneficiary Automated Status and Inquiry System (BASIS) is included. The BASIS allows plans and their subsidiaries to dial into a private Web-based host to request and review Medicare entitlement information. The Voluntary Data Sharing Agreement page was expanded to include the benefits of obtaining an agreement with CMS.
Attorney Services Page
Workers' compensation (WC) set aside and Medicare's interest information was added to assist attorneys in their role in providing information to the COB Contractor.
Insurer Services Page
A new Insurer Services page was added to discuss BASIS, Voluntary Data Sharing Agreements, and Insurer Outreach programs.
Workers' Compensation Agency Services Page
A new section was added to discuss the nature of the Medicare Integrity Program (MIP) and the steps workers' compensation agencies need to take to coordinate benefits with the COB Contractor. This section discusses issues of non-compliance and the benefits of creating data exchanges with the COB Contractor.
Customer Survey Page
A Customer Survey page was added to help us better serve you.
Contacting the COB Contractor
The Coordination of Benefits (COB) Contractor's trained staff will help you with your COB questions. Whether you need a question answered or assistance completing a questionnaire, the Customer Service Representatives are available to provide you with quality service Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, except holidays, at toll-free lines:
1-800-999-1118 or TTY/TDD: 1-800-318-8782 for the hearing and speech impaired.
For more information regarding the MSP Claims Investigation process visit our Web site at:
http://cms.hhs.gov/medicare/cob
Address general written inquiries to:
MEDICARE - Coordination of Benefits
P.O. Box 5041
New York, NY 10274-5041
Please mail questionnaires and correspondence to:
MEDICARE - COB
Data Match Project
P.O. Box 125
New York, NY 10274-0125MEDICARE - COB
MSP Claims Investigation Project
P.O. Box 5041
New York, NY 10274-5041MEDICARE - COB
Voluntary Agreement Project
P.O. Box 660
New York, NY 10274-0660MEDICARE - COB
Initial Enrollment Questionnaire Project
P.O. Box 17521
Baltimore, MD 21203-7521
