All for one and one for all – team improves process for all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’(CMS) 1099 Data Validation Report provides MACs with a mechanism to review a listing of known 1099 issues that must be validated and corrected prior to final execution. Previously each MAC relied on the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System (HIGLAS) Hosting Operations & Maintenance staff to execute and forward 1099 data reports. 

Palmetto GBA’s Heather Hastings a Business III Analyst and Pam Hall an Accounting III Technician developed a self-service process that allows each MAC to pull reports for five categories. Compared to the previous process this on-demand report allows more time to review and correct errors prior to issuing the next year’s 1099.

This new process also made User Acceptance Testing (UAT) obsolete eliminating the need for daily UAT calls. Administrative time has been reduced and accuracy increased to benefit customer service and earn Heather and Pam Process Improvement of the Quarter.

Team of the Quarter demonstrates flexibility and great juggling skills

The Audit and Reimbursement (AR) Reporting/HIGLAS Production Support team is a small group that also acts as a special Business Analyst (BA) team. They collaborate with other workgroups and take on many projects that don’t fit into standard areas of finance.

This year along with their normal duties the team helped with a high-profile CMS Medicare Advantage project. They also worked diligently to help with a Covid-19 CMS financial relief emergency taskforce that handled more than 8,700 payment requests for providers.

In 2020 this team managed upgrades to the Debt Management System (DMS). They also migrated Railroad and Retirement Board users to HIGLAS and provided training.

Finally, with the implementation of a new customer service initiative the team fielded on average an additional 50 provider inquiries per week. They handled all of this with a positive attitude and always performed above and beyond in their duties.

Team Members:
Jennifer Catoe, Barbara Evans, Heather Hastings, Martha Roberts and Patrick Strait

Stepping up to the plate earns Telisha Goodwin the Coach of the Quarter Award

Telisha Goodwin advanced to accounting supervisor in June. Not only did she step into a new role, but she also stepped in to help in other service areas.
After starting her supervisory role, Telisha covered a vacant Accountant III position until a new associate came on board. She also took the lead for her team with recent accounting and timekeeping system upgrades. Adding more to her plate, Telisha is helping with the set-up of a new sister company and working on an Incurred Cost Proposal (ICP) audit. Even with the added workload she calls her team often to ensure they have everything they need for the new work at home environment. 

Telisha is open-minded and values and respects her team members’ opinions. She works to excel in everything she does and encourages the same of her peers.

AOM Headline: Congratulations to Division 54’s third-quarter Associates of the Month

July – Henry West
Upon joining the Notifications and Appeals Finance team, Henry West, a Data I Analyst, hit the ground running. He immediately assumed the tracking responsibilities for Part A new notifications and identified ways to improve the process. Since the process was implemented, claims were identified and rectified eliminating the need to issue 1,800 New Notifications.   

August – Tammy Kesby
Tammy Kesby, Accountant IV, is a member of the Cost Accounting department and the lead accountant for the Jurisdiction M Medicare Administrative Contract (MAC). With her previous experience in the General Ledger department she provides valuable insight to cost entries. Her knowledge of processes and attention to detail inspire confidence that she can handle any task.

September – Deborah Beasley
When tasked with the Annual Certification of Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) report for the first time, Kim Payne a Claims II Processor discovered a need for financial research to finalize it.  Since she did not have access to the needed database, she reached out to Senior Operations Analyst Deborah Beasley. Deborah jumped right in to assist with the task. She researched the multiple requests and provided timely responses to meet the tight deadline. Deborah’s help ensured the report’s accuracy and on-time delivery.