Palmetto GBA Loses Protest for Medicare Contract

On January 18, 2013, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced that they denied Palmetto’s protest, awarding the Medicare contract for Jurisdiction E (previously referred to as J1) to Noridian Administrative Services.

On September 20, 2012, CMS announced that Noridian Administrative Services (NAS) has been awarded the contract for the administration of Medicare Part A and Part B fee-for-service claims in A/B MAC Jurisdiction E, which was previously called Jurisdiction 1 for the states of CA, HI and NV. Palmetto officially protested the award in October. On January 18, 2013, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced that they denied Palmetto’s protest.

Noridian and Palmetto are awaiting further direction from CMS on the transition plan, including a transition date. Until further direction is received, providers should continue with business as usual.