Palmetto J1 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) had 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. Palmetto officially protested the award in October. On January 18, 2013, the 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.

Medicare Part A and Part B MAC for Jurisdiction 11; comprised of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Medicare Part A and Part B MAC for Jurisdiction 1; comprised of California, Hawaii and Nevada.