CMS Issues Updated Section 111 NGHP User Guide Version 5.6

On July 1, 2019, CMS issued an updated version of the of the MMSEA Section 111 NGHP User Guide. The latest version of the User Guide provides some much needed clarity as to the submission of multiple claim files per reporting quarter. GRSM has received numerous inquiries regarding the submission of multiple claim input files per quarter, and in light of potential misinformation disseminated by various other Section 111 service providers, these updates come at an opportune time.

CMS did not change the fact that an RRE can submit more than one claim input file per quarter. Rather, Ch. II, Sect. 4.2.2 of the User Guide now states that Responsible Reporting Entities (RREs) should submit one Claim Input file per quarter but also provides in Ch. IV that under appropriate circumstances RREs may submit multiple files within a single quarter. The User Guide specifically states that the primary purpose for multiple submissions in a quarter is to permit RREs to provide ORM termination updates in an expedited manner. An RRE may want to submit more than one claim file per quarter for a number of reasons. For example, in order to trigger a conditional payment notice/letter to aid in the recovery process, an RRE may want to submit an off-cycle claim input file; or to avoid receiving a late flag for timeliness, an RRE may want to submit TPOC or ORM termination information off-cycle.

A full list of the updates made to the latest version of the User Guide is as follows:

– Ch. II of the User Guide added clarity regarding the submission of multiple claim input files. As discussed above, Ch. II Sect. 4.2.2. now states that “RREs should submit one Claim Input file per quarter. Please See CH. IV: Technical Information for more information.” (pg. 4-10).  Whereas this same section previously stated that “File submitters can only submit one Claim Input File on a quarterly basis for each RRE ID.”

– Ch. IV of the User Guide now states that the retention period for downloading response files from the Section 111 site has been updated from 180 days to 60 days (Sect. 10.3 and 10.4).

– RREs can now download the latest PC/server version of the HIPAA Eligibility Wrapper (HEW) software from the Section 111 MRA application, which is compatible with Windows 10. (Sect. 9.3 and 10.4).

– RREs using the HTTPS file transmission method can only upload files with the extension of .txt. Other file types will generate an Invalid Error message (Sect. 9.3 and 10.4). – Finally, Ch. V now provides the same update mentioned above in Ch. IV regarding downloading the HEW software, i.e. RREs can now download the latest PC/server version of the HIPAA Eligibility Wrapper (HEW) software from the Section 111 MRA application.

Version 5.6 of the NCHP Section 111 User Guide can be downloaded here (link https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coordination-of-Benefits-and-Recovery/Mandatory-Insurer-Reporting-For-Non-Group-Health-Plans/NGHP-User-Guide/NGHP-User-Guide.html).

The GRSM Medicare Compliance Group will continue to follow all trends and updates issued by CMS and provide you with the latest updates. If you would like to discuss these updates, or Section 111 Reporting in general, please contact our Section 111 Reporting team at CMSReporting@grsm.com.