As part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) consolidation of Medicare data center operations, Highmark Medicare Services will transition our MD/DC data center operations to a new Enterprise Data Center (EDC) from September 1, 2007 through September 3, 2007.

In order to minimize disruptions during the transition period, Highmark Medicare Services will continue to provide updated communications regarding possible impacts to Medicare Part A providers in the MD/DC jurisdiction on our website at www.highmarkmedicareservices.com as well as via our listserv.  This notice is to alert you to the following EDC transition impacts so that you can properly prepare for it.

• “Dark Days” Service Interruptions/Outages to:
  • EDI Processing
  • FISS/DDE and HUQA Transactions
  • ContactCenterClosure and IVR
  • FISS/HIQA Security Access Changes
  • New FISS Access Help Desk

“Dark Days” from 09/01/07 through 09/03/07

In order to complete this transition, Highmark Medicare Services will need to observe system “dark days”.   During “dark days,” there will be NO access to the Fiscal Intermediary Standard System (FISS) to conduct claim entry or claim correction, and verify beneficiary eligibility and claim status as well as limited EDI processing.

The EDC transition “dark days” for our Part A MD/DC providers will be September 1, 2007 through September 3, 2007. In addition to Monday, September 3, 2007 being a transition “dark day”, Highmark Medicare Services will also be observing the Labor Day holiday.  Our business doors will be closed that day in observance of the holiday.  All normal FISS access and system processing will resume on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.

In the event that a cycle delay or FISS availability delay occurs due to the EDC transition, a listserv email and website notification will be sent with a status update and the estimated time of system and/or EDI report availability.

EDI Processing Availability on 09/03/07

As indicated above, September 3, 2007, in addition to being a “dark day”, is also the observance of the Labor Day holiday.   Our EDI Services Help Desk will not be available.

On September 3, our EDI platform will be available to submit X12N 837 EDI Claim and X12N 276 Claim Status Inquiry transactions and retrieve reports.  No Medicare payment/checks, EDI reports (except TA1), or ERA will be generated on September 3, 2007.

EDI claims received after 4 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2007 through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 will be impacted due to the “dark day.”  These claims will NOT be entered into the FISS processing system until late Tuesday, September 4, 2007.  These claims will generate EDI reports for retrieval on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. 

FISS/HIQA Availability from 09/01/07 through 09/03/07

The FISS will NOT be available on Saturday, September 1st, through and including Monday, September 3rd.  Therefore, all Direct Data Entry (DDE) functions, such as claim entry, claim correction, beneficiary eligibility (HIQA/HUQA), and claim status, will be unavailable.  Access to FISS/HIQA will resume on Tuesday, September 4, 2007. 

CustomerContact Centerand IVR Availability from 09/01/07 through 09/03/07

Due to the EDC transition, the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) will NOT be available September 1, 2007 through September 3, 2007.

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Customer Contact Center will NOT be open on September 3, 2007.

Normal Customer Contact Center and IVR business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.

FISS/HIQA Security Access Changes effective 09/04/07

Effective September 4, 2007, MD/DC providers must begin using the newly assigned FISS/HIQA RACF IDs.   Transition to the Enterprise Data Center (EDC) requires that additional information be on file for all FISS/HIQA RACF ID's.   In order for Highmark Medicare Services to properly support your logon ID, each logon must have an assigned email address that accurately reflects the individual user assigned to the logon ID, as well as a user-selected Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is to be used in the event that a password reset is required.

Please visit our website at www.highmarkmedicareservices.com for instructions on acquiring your FISS/HIQA RACF ID.  Questions regarding your FISS/HIQA RACF ID can be e-mailed to medicareFFS@highmark.com.

New FISS/HIQA Access Help Desk effective 09/04/07

Effective Tuesday, September 4, 2007, Highmark Medicare Services will implement a new toll-free customer service line to provide assistance with FISS/HIQA access issues.  The new FISS/HIQA Access Help Desk number will be 1-877-410-1465.   It will be operational Monday through Friday from 8:30 am through 4:30 pm, EST.  Representatives at the help desk will be able to provide assistance with the following inquiry types:

• FISS/HIQA RACF ID password resets
• Forgotten FISS/HIQA RACF IDs or password PINs
• How to obtain a new FISS/HIQA RACF ID
• Status of FISS/HIQA RACF ID requests

In addition to FISS/HIQA Access Help Desk support, you will also be able to e-mail your questions regarding your FISS/HIQA RACF ID to medicareFFS@highmark.com and continue to access our website at www.highmarkmedicareservices.com for information on FISS/HIQA access issues.