The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) directed the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to remove beneficiary eligibility information from their interactive voice response (IVR) systems to combat Medicare fraud. The change is required as of March 31, but may occur prior to the deadline.
Providers will no longer be able to acquire eligibility information via IVR, including information about deductibles, coinsurance, Part A and Part B entitlement dates, and qualified Medicare beneficiaries.
CMS recommends use of the MACs’ secure online provider portals and third-party options such as clearinghouses, billing agencies, and software vendors for eligibility details.
