Nationwide to withdraw from Medicare Part B

    At the AMC/NOMA sponsored seminar on November 14, 2001, "Solving the Third Party Payor Puzzle" the Nationwide/Medicare representative for the Cuyahoga County region announced that effective, July 1, 2002, Nationwide, the federal government's carrier for Medicare Part B in Ohio and West Virginia, will no longer provide services as a claims processing contractor.  Nationwide, based in Columbus, has served the Medicare program since its inception in 1966.   It currently serves 39,000 physicians and licensed providers and has been ranked by the CMS as the top carrier in the country for timeliness, processing of claims within 60 days and in responding to telephone calls from Medicare beneficiaries.

     A transition to the replacement contractor is expected to begin next month and will continue through its completion by June 30, 2002.  The representive from Nationwide/Medicare assured the AMC/NOMA that the intention is to keep the current staff and representatives in place to assure a smooth transition without interruption in service or problems with Medicare claims.  The Medicare Integrity Program functions will not be handled by the replacement contractor, but a soon to be selected Program Safeguard Contractor.  The CMS will also develop a Medicare Contractor Data Center to provide data processing services in the interim. 

     AMC/NOMA will apprise you of further updates concerning this issue. For more information, go to the Nationwide/Medicare web site at www.nationwide-medicare.com.