Home Health & Hospice Week

If you're currently served by Cahaba GBA and you didn't turn in your new EFT form to CIGNA in May, get ready for a cash flow crunch.

CIGNA Government Services, the new HHH MAC, is taking over Cahaba's home care contractor duties starting June 13. Without an EFT form filed with CIGNA, you can't receive Medicare payments.

Exception: If you're receiving paper checks from Cahaba, you don't have to sign up for EFT with CIGNA. "For providers who have elected paper checks, no action is necessary unless you decide to switch to EFT," CIGNA explains in its frequently asked questions. "Otherwise, you may continue to receive your Medicare funds via paper check."

And don't forget to use CIGNA's new contractor ID on your claims after that date, CIGNA reminds providers in another FAQ on its website. On June 13, HHAs and hospices currently serviced by Cahaba must start submitting claims to CIGNA with new contractor ID number 15004, CIGNA says. That ID number will replace Cahaba's current 00011 ID number.

Also: You can expect to receive two 1099 forms for Medicare, CIGNA adds in a separate FAQ. "One 1099 will be from the outgoing contractor for claims paid prior to the cutover date," CIGNA explains. "The other will be from CGS for claims paid after the cutover date. Both will be sent out under the normal 1099 issuance schedule for year's end."

CIGNA's FAQs are at www.cignagovernmentservices.com/j15/faqs.html.