How to Update a Patient’s Medicare Secondary Payer Information

Medicare processes claims based on many eligibility factors, which are taken from the Common Working File (CWF). Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) and supplemental insurance information are updated to CWF by the Coordination of Benefits Contractor (COBC).

The COBC:

• Is contracted by CMS to consolidate the activities that support the collection, management and reporting of all other health insurance coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.
• Identifies health benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries and coordinates payment processes to prevent or minimize overpayments of Medicare benefits.
• Controls a central file for all insurance coverage, and Medicare claims are processed based on that information.

 The COBC needs the patient’s as well as the provider’s assistance in data collection to gather potential insurance information not on the Medicare patient’s file or to potentially update the information that is on file. Potential MSP situations, changes in a beneficiary’s insurance coverage, changes in employment and general MSP questions or concerns should be directed to the COBC.

 

Providers should contact the COBC to update a Medicare patient’s MSP information. Providers should also instruct Medicare patients to contact the COBC directly or to call 1-800-MEDICARE for MSP issues. Medicare patients should never be referred to TrailBlazer’s Provider Contact Center (PCC) toll-free number to update MSP situations.

 

COBC Contact Information

 Toll-Free: (800) 999-1118