CMS Regional Account Managers Surveying Plans for MBI Readiness
In advance of the new Medicare card mailings beginning in April, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Account Managers may be contacting plans to assess their operational readiness for the New Medicare Card Project (NMCP).
The Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) will be replaced by a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) on Medicare cards that will be issued to beneficiaries, beginning April 1. The change in numbers will impact several operational processes.
Some CMS Regional Account Managers are emailing a “2018 Readiness Checklist for the New Medicare Card Project,” which consists of a series of questions about the readiness of operational areas impacted by the NMCP. Each sponsor must provide a written response to the questions. The CMS Regional Account Manager will discuss the plan’s responses via a conference call.
The checklist includes processes affected by the NMCP and the NMCP-specific CMS guidance for each area. Sponsors will be asked readiness questions for the following processes:
- Enrollment Form
- Drug Data Processing System (DDPS) and Payment Reconciliation System (PRS)
- Part D Coordination of Benefits (COB)
- Encounter Data Systems (EDS)
- Risk Adjustment Suite of Systems (RASS)
- Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MARx) System Functionality
- Health Plan Management System (HMPS)
- Provider Ombudsman for the New Medicare Card
- Outreach and Education (members and providers)
During the transition period, from April 1 – December 31, CMS will accept either the HICN or the new MBI for data submitted to the agency. All HICNs must be replaced by MBIs by April 2019.
If you need assistance preparing for the NMCP or a readiness assessment BluePeak can help.
