Omitting "Jr." or "III" could trigger payment delays. You'll want to start double- and triple-checking your claim forms to ensure that the beneficiary's information is spot-on, or you'll face scores of denied claims once CMS starts requiring the new HIPAA 5010 forms. That's because CMS plans to deny claims filed on HIPAA 5010 forms (which will be the new Medicare universal claim form starting in 2012) on which the beneficiary's name doesn't perfectly match how it's listed on his Medicare I.D. card. "Whenever there is a name suffix, such as 'Jr.' or 'Sr.' abbreviations, etc., it must be included with the last name," said Veronica Harshman of CMS's Division of Medicare Billing Procedures during an April 28 Open Door Forum regarding the eligibility component of the HIPAA 5010 form. You can include the suffix either with the patient's last name or in the suffix field, specified CMS's Chris Stahlecker during the call. "The date of birth must also match exactly to what the SSA (Social Security Administration) has on file," Harshman said. Keep a lookout: Production Systems Will Be Available Next Year According to the HIPAA 5010 Final Rule, CMS will have a production 5010 system available as of Jan. 1, 2011, Harshman said. The last day CMS will accept a 4010A1 form will be Dec.31, 2011. As of Jan. 1, 2012, if you aren't using the 5010 form, you'll "lose the ability to receive eligibility data from Medicare," Harshman said. In other words, she noted,mandatory compliance of the 5010 form will begin on Jan. 1, 2012. Contact your software vendors soon to determine when you can expect your software to be upgraded so it's 5010 ready, Harshman said. Plus: Resource: