CIGNA Begins Transition to Medicare Carrier for Part A and Part B in Ohio

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially announced the selection of CIGNA Government Services as the new Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Part A and Part B in Jurisdiction 15, which includes Ohio. CIGNA has stated that they have begun the implementation process in transitioning to become the Medicare Carrier for Part A and Part B in Ohio.

Palmetto GBA currently administers Medicare payments in Jurisdiction 15. The transition from Palmetto GBA to CIGNA is expected to take the majority of 2011. CIGNA has developed a transition and implementation website to aid in this process. You may view the website by going to http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/J15/ 

As the A/B MAC for Jurisdiction 15, CIGNA Government Services will perform a wide array of administrative services including claims processing, customer service, and provider education associated with Part A and Part B of the Medicare program. CIGNA has advised that physicians and their office staff may wish to reference the CMS MLN Matters article SE1017, "Preparing for a Transition from an FI/Carrier to a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) or from one Durable Medical Equipment (DME) MAC to another DME MAC." Knowing what to expect and preparing as outlined in this article will minimize disruption in your Medicare business.

CIGNA Government Services plans to communicate with the J15 provider community throughout the implementation process and will post timely implementation news and information on the website mentioned above. The AMCNO will also keep you informed as further information becomes available on the transition.