January 11, 2001

Medi-901-01

TO: ALL MEDICARE PROVIDERS

SUBJECT: COMMON WORKING FILE ACCESS VIA VENDORS

PRIMARY INTERESTS: BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGERS

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 29, 2001

The Health Care Financing Administration has instructed all Medicare contractors to make available only the HUQA screens to network service vendors and their provider customers. As a result, Riverbend GBA will cease providing network service vendors access to the HIQA screens effective January 29, 2001.

The net impact of this change is that providers accessing the Common Working File via a network service vendor will no longer be able to choose the CWF Host Site as part of their research. For providers served by Riverbend GBA, the search feature will be limited to the CWF Host in the Southeast Region.

As claims are processed, files will be established that will allow eligibility records housed in other CWF locations to be accessed via the HUQA screens.

Providers that have access to Riverbend GBA's Direct Data Entry System (DDE) can continue to search multiple CWF Host Sites via the DDE connection.

THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE SHARED WITH ALL HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS AND MANAGERIAL MEMBERS OF THE PROVIDER STAFF. NO COST COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM OUR WEB SITE AT riverbendgba.com

Please refer any questions to our office toll free at 877-296-6189.