Medicare Financial Management Manual 
Chapter 10 - Fee-for-Service Claims Administration 
Contractor and Workload Identification 
 
Table of Contents 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
Transmittals for Chapter 10 
 
10- General Information 
20- Structure of the Workload Identifier 
30- Initial Implementation 
40- Basic Requirements and Uses of the Identifier 
50- Maintenance of Contractor Workload Identifiers 
      Exhibit 1- Contractor Workload Identifiers 
 
  10 - General Information 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
The CMS will assign to every claims administration contractor a contractor workload 
identifier for each geographic workload area that is included in the contractors 
jurisdiction.  These contractor workload identifiers shall be the officially recognized 
identifier for the contractor. 
 
The contractor workload identifier will provide a unique identifier for each type of claim 
processed (Intermediary, Regional Home Health Intermediary, Carrier, and Durable 
Medical Equipment Carrier), the geographic jurisdiction associated with that claim, and 
the contractor that processed the claim or other transaction. 
 
The contractor workload identifier will be used by contractors in claims processing 
operations and to track the flow of transactions among the contractor and CMS claims 
administration systems.  The identifier will also be used for general management and 
workload reporting. 
 
CMS will assign a single contractor number that contractors will use for financial 
management and reporting of administrative costs and program benefits. 
 
The Center for Medicare Management in CMS will have the authority and responsibility 
for assigning all contractor workload identifiers and for maintenance of the identifiers as 
contractor or workload configurations change. 
 
Exhibit 1 shows the master list of all officially recognized identifiers. 
 
20 - Structure of the Workload Identifier 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
The CMS will assign the contractor workload identifier.  It will consist of a combination 
of data to comprise a nine-digit alpha-numeric contractor workload identifier: 
 
  The first five characters will be a five-digit contractor number. 
 
  The next four characters represent the Business Segment Identifier (BSI) and 
consist of the following: 
 
  A two character contract jurisdiction code: 
o
 
  For fiscal intermediary, carrier and regional home health 
intermediary workloads, the code will be the official United States 
Postal Service (USPS) state abbreviation for the state jurisdiction. 
    For durable medical equipment regional carriers, these two 
positions will identify the DME region, for example Region A will 
be RA. 
 
  A one-character modifier to identify the type of Medicare FFS contract: 
o
 
  Fiscal intermediary = A 
  Carrier = B 
  Regional home health intermediary = R 
  Durable medical equipment regional carrier = D. 
 
  The final digit will be filled with a space. 
o
 
This structure recognizes that CMS considers there to be four different types of 
contractors, based on the types of claims they process for beneficiaries and 
providers in every state.  The BSI distinguishes the customers in the geographic 
areas served and the type of claims administered: 
 
  For fiscal intermediaries  Providers in the state served plus any providers in 
other locations that nominated the FI to process its claims, and any chains 
(of providers) assigned to the FI. 
 
  For carriers and regional home health intermediaries  Providers in the state 
served. 
 
  For DMERCS  Suppliers serving beneficiaries that reside in the DMERCs 
jurisdiction. 
 
30 - Initial Implementation 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
While CMS will assign the contractor number, the initial implementation of the BSI will 
require the claims administration contractors to assign the state codes (positions 6 and 7 
of the contractor workload identifier) to their providers according to the master list on 
exhibit 1. 
 
Contractors shall assign the BSI as follows: 
 
  Fiscal intermediaries shall assign each provider they service to a specific state 
associated workload based on the state in which the provider is located.  
Intermediaries shall assign providers not located in the contracted state 
jurisdiction (i.e. providers that are out of area through nominations and/or 
chains of providers that elect the FI) according to the following rules: 
    If the out of area provider or chain of providers is serviced through a 
o
nomination of selected contractor or a chain relationship, assign the provider to the 
state-associated workload to which the nomination relates. 
 
  If the state of the nomination cannot be determined, assign the provider 
o
to the state represented by the contractors home office for administrative budget and 
cost reporting purposes. 
 
EXAMPLE:  A fiscal intermediary services Part A providers in States XX, YY and ZZ, as 
well as providers in several other states that nominated the FI or previous 
intermediaries, the workloads of which are now awarded to the current FI.  Providers 
serviced by this FI should be assigned to either XX, YY or ZZ and would be coded XXA_, 
YYA_, or ZZA_ respectively. 
 
  Carriers shall assign the state code based on where the physician or supplier is 
located. 
 
EXAMPLE:  A carrier services Part B providers in States XX and YY and will utilize 
XXB_ and YYB_ respectively. 
 
  RHHIs shall assign a state code based on where the home health agency or 
hospice is located or, if a chain of providers, where the home office is located. 
 
  DMERCs shall assign codes as follows: 
 
DMERC Region A = RAD_ 
DMERC Region B = RBD_ 
DMERC Region C = RCD_ 
DMERC Region D = RDD_. 
 
40 - Basic Requirements and Uses of the Identifier 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
The contractor workload identifier will be required for interface among the basic claims 
processing systems including FISS, MCS, CWF, HIGLAS, REMAS, and PECOS. 
 
All claims administration systems shall be capable of tracking claims activity and 
identifying claims administration databases by the new BSI. 
 
Claims administration contractors shall produce management and workload reports by 
the unique contractor workload identifier. 
 
Claims administration contractors shall track financial management activities and 
produce financial reports for both administrative costs and program benefits by the 
corporate contractor number assigned by CMS. 
  50 - Maintenance of Contractor Workload Identifiers 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
There are several major circumstances that may require changes or updates to the 
contractor workload identifiers.  Maintenance of the identifiers, including the contractor 
number and the BSI, will be the responsibility of the Center for Medicare Management, 
which will notify the affected claims processing contractor of any changes. 
 
  Contractor Transitions - The new or incoming contractor will be instructed by the 
CMS transition manager about any changes in the contractor workload identifier, both 
the contractor number and the BSI. 
 
  Provider Change of Intermediary - The BSI of a Part A provider (e.g., hospital, 
skilled nursing facility, home health agency, etc) may change when CMS approves a 
providers request for change of intermediary or the providers request to submit all bills 
to a single intermediary because of a chain relationship.  CMS will advise the new 
intermediary, as well as the former intermediary, of the required change in the BSI 
through the tie-in notices which are necessary to coordinate the change of intermediary 
process. 
 
  Generally, the BSI of carriers and DMERCs will not change, but CMS will advise 
of any changes during any contractor transition. 
 
New Systems Implementations - As contractors are implemented on HIGLAS and 
REMAS, transactions that are converted into the HIGLAS and REMAS databases shall be 
converted with their appropriate BSI(s) to distinguish different workloads.  CMS will 
advise for any HIGLAS implementation. 
 
Exhibit 1 
(Rev. 47, 06-25-04) 
 
Contractor Workload Identifiers 
 
__________________________________________________________________ 
State    Contract  Contractor      Workload Identifier 
    Type            CROWD  Business 
                Identifier  Segment 
 
Multiple  FI    Mutual of Omaha    52280   NTA_ 
 
Multiple  Carrier  Railroad Retirement Board  00882   RRB_ 
        (Palmetto) 
 
Alabama  FI    Cahaba      00010   ALA_ 
    Carrier  Cahaba      00510   ALB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   ALR_      DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Alaska   FI    Noridian      00322   AKA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00831   AKB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   AKR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Arizona  FI    BCBS Arizona     00030   AZA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00832   AZB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   AZR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
Arkansas  FI    BCBS Arkansas    00020   ARA_ 
    Carrier  BCBS Arkansas    00520   ARB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   ARR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
California  FI    UGS        00454   CAA_ 
    Carrier  NHIC- Northern CA    31140   CAB_ 
    Carrier   NHIC- Southern CA    31146   CAB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   CAR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Colorado  FI    TrailBlazer      00400   COA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00824   COB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   COR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Connecticut  FI    Empire       00308   CTA_ 
    Carrier  First Coast      00591   CTB_ 
    RHHI    AHS Maine      00180   CTR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
Delaware  FI    Empire       00308   DEA_ 
    Carrier  TrailBlazer      00902   DEB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   DER_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
District of  FI    Carefirst of MD    00190   DCA_ 
Columbia  Carrier*  TrailBlazer      00903   DCB_ 
 
  *Includes parts of MD and VA 
 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   DCR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Florida  FI    First Coast      00090   FLA_      Carrier  First Coast      00590   FLB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   FLR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Georgia  FI    BCBS Georgia     00101   GAA_ 
    Carrier  Cahaba      00511   GAB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   GAR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Hawaii *  FI    UGS        00454   HIA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00833   HIB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   HIR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
* Includes Guam and American Samoa 
 
Idaho    FI    Regence      00350   IDA_ 
    Carrier  CIGNA      05130   IDB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   IDR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA`      05655   RDD_ 
 
Illinois   FI    AdminaStar      00131   ILA_ 
    Carrier  Wisconsin Physicians Svc  00952   ILB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   ILR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Indiana  FI    AdminaStar      00130   INA_ 
    Carrier  AdminaStar      00630   INB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   INR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Iowa    FI    Cahaba      00011   IAA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00826   IAB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   IAR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Kansas   FI    BCBS Kansas     00150   KSA_ 
    Carrier  BCBS Kansas     00650   KSB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   KSR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Kentucky  FI    AdminaStar      00160   KYA_ 
    Carrier  AdminaStar      00660   KYB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   KYR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Louisiana  FI    Trispan      00230   LAA_      Carrier  BCBS Arkansas    00528   LAB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   LAR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Maine   FI    Associated Hospital of ME  00180   MEA_ 
    Carrier  NHIC        31142   MEB_ 
    RHHI    Associated Hospital of ME  00180   MER_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
Maryland  FI    Carefirst of Maryland   00190   MDA_ 
    Carrier*  TrailBlazer      00901   MDB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   MDR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
*   See also District of Columbia 
 
Massachusetts FI    Associated Hospital of ME  00181   MAA_ 
    Carrier  NHIC        31143   MAB_ 
    RHHI    Associated Hospital of ME  00180   MAR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
Michigan  FI    UGS        00452   MIA_ 
    Carrier  Wisconsin Physicians Svc  00953   MIB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00450   MIR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Minnesota  FI    Noridian      00320   MNA_ 
    Carrier  Wisconsin Physician Svc  00954   MNB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00450   MNR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Mississippi  FI    Trispan      00230   MSA_ 
    Carrier  Cahaba      00512   MSB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   MSR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Missouri  FI    Trispan      00230   MOA_ 
    Carrier  Arkansas BCBS  East MO  00523   MOB_ 
    Carrier  BCBS Kansas - West MO  00651   MOB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   MOR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Montana  FI    BCBS Montana    00250   MTA_ 
    Carrier  BCBS Montana    00751   MTB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   MTR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
  Nebraska  FI    BCBS Nebraska    00260   NEA_ 
    Carrier  BCBS Kansas     00655   NEB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   NER_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Nevada  FI    UGS        00454   NVA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00834   NVB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   NVR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
New    FI    BCBS NH/VT      00270   NHA_ 
Hampshire  Carrier  NHIC        31144   NHB_ 
    RHHI    Associated Hospital Svc  00180   NHR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
New    FI    Riverbend      00390   NJA_ 
Jersey   Carrier  Empire       00805   NJB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00450   NJR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
New Mexico  FI    TrailBlazer      00400   NMA_ 
    Carrier  Arkansas BCBS    00521   NMB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   NMR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
New York  FI    Empire       00308   NYA_ 
    Carrier  Empire       00803   NYB_ 
    Carrier   Group Health Inc.    14330   NYB_ 
    Carrier  HealthNow      00801   NYB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00450   NYR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
North    FI    Palmetto      00382   NCA_ 
Carolina  Carrier  CIGNA      05535   NCB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   NCR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
North Dakota FI    Noridian      00320   NDA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00820   NDB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   NDR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Ohio    FI    AdminaStar      00332   OHA_ 
    Carrier  Palmetto      00883   OHB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   OHR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_   
Oklahoma  FI    BCBS Oklahoma    00340   OKA_ 
    Carrier  Arkansas BCBS    00522   OKB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380`   OKR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
     
Oregon  FI    Regence      00350   ORA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00835   ORB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   ORR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Pennsyl-  FI    Veritus       00363   PAA_ 
vannia   Carrier  Highmark      00865   PAB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   PAR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow  `    00811   RAD_ 
 
Puerto   FI*    Cooperativa      57400   PRA_ 
Rico    Carrier(PR)  Triple-S      00973   PRB_ 
    Carrier(VI)  Triple-S      00974   VIB_ 
    RHHI*   UGS        00450   PRR_ 
    DMERC*  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
*Includes Virgin Islands 
 
Rhode   FI    Arkansas BCBS    00021   RIA_ 
Island   Carrier  Arkansas BCBS    00524   RIB_ 
    RHHI    Associated Hospital of ME  00180   RIR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
South    FI    Palmetto      00380   SCA_ 
Carolina  Carrier  Palmetto      00880   SCB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   SCR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
South    FI    Cahaba      00011   SDA_ 
Dakota   Carrier  Noridian      00889   SDB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   SDR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Tennessee  FI    Riverbend      00390   TNA_ 
    Carrier  CIGNA      05440   TNB_ 
    RHHI    Palmetto      00380   TNR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Texas    FI    TrailBlazer      00400   TXA_ 
    Carrier  TrailBlazer      00900   TXB_      RHHI    Palmetto      00380   TXR_ 
    DMERC  Palmetto      00885   RCD_ 
 
Utah    FI    Regence      00350   UTA_ 
    Carrier  Regence      00910   UTB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   UTR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
Vermont  FI    BCBS NH/VT      00270   VTA_ 
    Carrier  NHIC        31145   VTB_ 
    RHHI    Associated Hospital of ME  00180   VTR_ 
    DMERC  HealthNow      00811   RAD_ 
 
Virginia  FI    UGS        00453   VAA_ 
    Carrier*  TrailBlazer      00904   VAB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   VAR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
*    See also District of Columbia 
 
Washington  FI    Noridian      00322   WAA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00836   WAB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00454   WAR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_ 
 
West    FI    UGS        00453   WVA_ 
Virginia  Carrier  Palmetto      00884   WVB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   WVR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Wisconsin  FI    UGS        00450   WIA_ 
    Carrier  WPS        00951   WIB_ 
    RHHI    UGS        00450   WIR_ 
    DMERC  AdminaStar      00635   RBD_ 
 
Wyoming  FI    BCBS Wyoming    00460   WYA_ 
    Carrier  Noridian      00825   WYB_ 
    RHHI    Cahaba      00011   WYR_ 
    DMERC  CIGNA      05655   RDD_  Transmittals Issued for this Chapter 
 
Rev #  Issue Date  Subject  Impl Date  CR# 
R47FM  06/25/2004 Workload Identification - Replaces Transmittal.  10/04/2004 3256 
43 
R43FM  04/30/2004 Workload Identification - Replaced by  10/04/2004 3256 
Transmittal 47 
R27FM  12/19/2003 Provider Statistical & Reimbursement Report  01/05/2004 2902 
R10FM  08/30/2002 Initial Publication of Chapter  N/A  N/A 
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