J12 MAC Transition
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UPDATE:

HIGLAS payment inputs for 7/14/08 - 7/18/08 as well as 7/21/08 were included in the 7/21/08 MCS claims processing cycle. Validation of the payment output was completed this morning, and everything checked out. Payments (e.g., including checks and EFTs) were released for mailing and bank transfer. We apologize for any inconvenience.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

Based on the published transition schedule, Highmark Medicare Services was to receive its first payment input from the HIGLAS payment system last night, which would have generated payments in last night's claims processing batch cycle. However, due to problems with the HIGLAS payment input, we were not able to generate payments during last night's batch cycle. Therefore, we did not generate checks or EFTs last night as we initially expected. IBM, the HIGLAS maintainer, is reviewing the issue and hopes to have a resolution today that will allow the HIGLAS payment cycle to be completed during the day today and then input into tonight's claims processing batch cycle. As a result, providers should now expect to see their first payments from Highmark Medicare Services generated out of the July 18, 2008 claims processing cycle. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please remember to watch our website for any additional updates or notices.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 was enacted on July 15, 2008. As a result, the mid-year 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rate of -10.6 percent has been replaced with the January-June 2008 0.5 percent update, retroactive to July 1, 2008.

Further details are located in the Medicare Part B area of the website.