Colorado Medical Society

http://dev.cms.org/articles/novitas-service-impact-due-to-planned-network-transition/

Novitas: Service impact due to planned network transition

Thursday, August 29, 2013 02:46 PM

Colorado Medicare Administrative Contractor Novitas Solutions - previously Highmark Medicare Services - was acquired by Diversified Service Options, Inc., a subsidiary of Florida Blue, on Jan. 1, 2012. Since that time, Novitas has worked through the changes to improve physicians’ service experience. In a bulletin to providers, the company gave notice of impacts practices may experience as a result of required system outages in September as Novitas closes out the transition from the Highmark network to the Florida network.

Please note two events that will result in a brief service delays:

• Sept. 7-8: Simulation testing for network transition; and
• Sept. 28-29: Final network transition.

If any additional downtime is required, Novitas will issue alerts via website and listserv.

Details of Impact
Sept. 7-8: Simulation Testing

Testing begins on Friday evening, Sept. 6 and will be completed Sunday, Sept. 8. The company plans to conduct this testing as late as possible on Friday to minimize any potential disruption.

Impacts are as follows:

• IVR will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.
• Part A DDE access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.
• Part B PPTN access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Sept. 28-29: Final Network Transition

Cutover will begin on Friday evening, Sept. 27 and will be completed Sunday, Sept. 29.

Impacts are as follows:

• IVR will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
• Part A DDE access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
• Part B PPTN access will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.

Questions? Contact debra.fulfer@novitas-solutions.com.