MAC 101: Help for Affiliates June Schulz, RRT, FAACVPR Candace J. Steele, RN, BC, MA, FAACVPR

Evolution of MAC System Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is transitioning from Medicare claims processing by Fiscal Intermediaries and Carriers to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) CMS now awards a contract to a MAC from competitive bidders for Medicare claims processing services

Purpose of YOUR MAC COMMITTEE To provide a solid, consistent liaison between CR/PR professionals and programs and the MAC Medical Directors

What MAC are you in? Step 1 – Determine what MAC you belong to

Step 2 – Open Communication Lines As an individual practitioner or a program: It is essential that you communicate any reimbursement issues or questions to your AFFILIATE MAC representative Find your representative here.here

Step 3 – Ongoing Communication is Essential! As an Affiliate: Communicate directly with MAC Region Committee member. Determine when your MAC is scheduled to roll out. Click here.Click here

MAC COMMITTEE STRUCTURE MAC MEDICAL DIRECTORS ____________________________ MAC Region Committee Med Director Liaison ____________________ MAC Region Committee Members AACVPR HP&R Subgroup Liaison, State Affiliate Presidents, Cardiac Contacts, Pulmonary Contacts, and other interested persons ____________________________ AACVPR Cardiologist AACVPR Pulmonologist Available as needed MAC HP&R Subgroup Liaison to AACVPR Physicians _ __________________ Affiliate MAC Members Affiliate president, state cardiac and pulmonary contacts, and other interested persons ________________________ _ _____________________ Affiliate MAC Members Affiliate president, state cardiac and pulmonary contacts, other interested persons _______________________ Affiliate MAC Members Affiliate president, state cardiac and pulmonary contact, other interested persons _________________________ Communication to all Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs and Affiliate Members

Who serves on the Affiliate MAC Committee? Pulmonary Representative Cardiac Representative President Immediate Past President YOU??

Potential Issues Is your Affiliate represented by more than one MAC? ….or…. Are any programs in your Affiliate in another MAC jurisdiction? Are there programs in your Affiliate who do not have active Affiliate members?

Being Pro-MAC-tive! AACVPR and Affiliates are recognized as the CR/PR experts by the MAC Medical Director Avoid multiple contacts to MAC staff and risk different responses to questions Disseminate any new information to all programs affected by MAC decisions and opinions to your Affiliate members Have regular meetings with your MAC Committee

Help Us Help You! Your Affiliate will have representation on your MAC committee to communicate MAC information to you – know who this representative is! Your MAC committee information is located here. Page is updated regularly!here Recruit committee members – great opportunity for a first-time volunteer Membership has its privileges (AACVPR, Affiliate membership)