The Medicare carrier, NHIC, informs CMA that there have been some technical difficulties with the conversion to a new computer system that have resulted in inappropriate denials. They believe that most problems have been identified and have been corrected. NHIC suggests that you first verify with them that the problem has been corrected. Appeal claim in writing with explanation of the problem. NHIC plans to do mass adjustments when claims have been underpaid but tells us that this may take some time.
Physicians report difficulty getting through on busy telephone lines.
NHIC confirms that their phones are very busy due to transition problems. They suggested that it is easier to get a response on Thursday and Friday as opposed to earlier in the week. Physicians have notified CMA that they are unable to determine if their electronic claims have been received. NHIC informed CMA the problems encountered during the computer system conversion resulted in a backlog of applications to be processed. These problems have been corrected and the processing of applications has resumed and will be back to a twenty day turn around time by the end of February.