The second round (Round II) of the Part A and B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B MACs) solicitations, awards, and transition are underway. The goal of the second round of A/B MAC reform is to consolidate the current 15 A/B MAC jurisdictions to 10 A/B MAC jurisdictions. Over the next several years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will consolidate 10 A/B MAC workloads to form five consolidated A/B MAC workloads. In addition, CMS will re-compete five A/B MAC contracts/jurisdictions based on their present boundaries as the current A/B MAC contracts run their course. The first of the Round II awards went to Noridian Administrative Services, LLC, A/B MAC Jurisdiction F (JF). The current J3 A/B MAC states of Arizona, Montana, North and South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming transitioned to the new JF system on February 1, 2012 along with Idaho Part B. Alaska, Idaho Part A, Oregon, and Washington will complete the transition to JF on February 27, 2012.

Contact GIRS to track the MAC transition in your key markets, stay on top of policy changes that might take place during transitions for your pharmaceutical, medical technology, or biologic products, and proactively comment on these changes.

Sources:
CMS, 2011. A/B MAC Jurisdictions.

Noridian Administrative Services, LLC, 2012. Medicare Administrative Contract (MAC) Jurisdiction F Implementation.