Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA)

CMS issued CR 3109 on the implementation of a new initiative known as the Coordination of Benefits Agreement (COBA) consolidated crossover process, which changes the existing Medicare claims crossover process. The Coordination of Benefits Contractor (COBC) will assign unique five-digit COBA IDs to Medigap and Medicaid insurers that do not provide eligibility files to the COBC. Effective October 4, 2004 all Part B providers must cease including the Carrier issued Medigap or Medicaid ID on incoming claims and replace them with the claim-based COBA ID.