Designated Contractor Information

CMS Awards Section 1011 Contract to Highmark Medicare Services

(ADD)On March 31, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the award of the national Section 1011 contract to Highmark Medicare Services. A transition period is underway and will run through December.

TrailBlazer Health Enterprises® and Highmark Medicare Services will collaborate on the transition process. Initially, TrailBlazerSM will be the primary contractor that will enroll eligible providers, assist providers with enrollment and billing questions, calculate provider-payment amounts and serve as the compliance contractor.

In late November, Highmark Medicare Services will become the primary Section 1011 contractor until the transition period is complete by December 31, 2010. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the TrailBlazer Web site at www.trailblazerhealth.com/section1011/ and sign up for the TrailBlazer Section 1011 listserv as it will be a good source for additional information regarding Highmark Medicare Services' Web site and Section 1011 listserv.

TrailBlazer will make the first-quarter payment for federal fiscal year (FY) 2010 on August 30, 2010 and the second-quarter FY 2010 payment on November 26, 2010. Highmark Medicare Services will make the third quarter FY 2010 payment in February, 2011.