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Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA)

Glossary

This glossary explains terms found on the omha.hhs.gov web site, but it is not a legal document.  

 

B  |  C  | D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z

 


 
A

Adjudicator

The person who makes the decision in a beneficiary's case.  There is an adjudicator at each of the five levels of Medicare appeals.  In OMHA, the adjudicator of an appeal is the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Adjusted annually

A change that occurs on a yearly basis.

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

 

 

 

 

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is an independent decision-maker who is authorized to preside over hearings and render legally binding decisions. In the Medicare appeals process the ALJ is the adjudicator at OMHA, the third level of the claim appeals process. At OMHA, the ALJ presides over the hearing by administering oaths, taking testimony , ruling on questions of evidence and  making  factual and legal determinations. In issuing his or her decision, the OMHA ALJ is bound by the Administrative Procedure Act,  Medicare statutes and regulations and national coverage determinations issued by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

 

Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)

An Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is a letter officially informing you that your healthcare provider or supplier believes that Medicare will not cover an item(s) and/or service(s).  The ABN helps you make an informed choice about whether or not you want to receive the item(s) and/or service(s) knowing that you may be responsible for payment. 

Remember, if you decide to receive the item(s) and/or services, you may be financially responsible for those charges.   

 

ALJ hearing

An ALJ hearing is an official proceeding for an administrative appeal.  For Medicare, an ALJ hearing takes place at the third level of appeal where the ALJ hears arguments and takes testimony to determine if a medical service or item is covered by Medicare or an individual is eligible for Medicare benefits.  In the Medicare appeals process, an ALJ hearing can only take place after the first two levels of appeals have been completed. 

 

Amount in controversy

The threshold dollar amount that is required for an ALJ hearing at Level 3 of the Medicare appeals process, which is $120 for 2008.  The threshold dollar amount for subsequent court review at Level 5 of the Medicare appeals process is $1,180.   

 

Appeal

For Medicare purposes, an appeal is the process used when a party, e.g. beneficiary, provider or supplier, disagrees with a decision to deny or stop payment for healthcare items or services or a decision denying an individual's enrollment in the Medicare program.

 

Appellant

A beneficiary, provider, supplier or other entity that submits an appeal of a particular Medicare initial determination.  Designation as an appellant does not in itself convey standing to appeal the determination in question.

 

Appointed Representative

An individual a party selects to assist in pursuing a Medicare claim or appeal.  An appointed representative can include the beneficiary's family member, friend, lawyer or the provider or supplier that furnished the Medicare items or services.

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

 

An individual authorized under State or other applicable law to act on behalf of a beneficiary or other party involved in the appeal. An authorized representative has all the rights and responsibilities of a beneficiary or party, as applicable, throughout the appeals process. Examples of an "authorized representative" include a court-appointed guardian, an individual with durable power of attorney, and an individual designated under a State health care consent statute.

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B

Beneficiary

An individual who is enrolled to receive benefits under the Medicare program. See 42 CFR 405.902.

 

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C

Carrier

 

A private company that has a contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine and make Medicare payment for Part B items and services. As part of the mandatory Medicare Contract Reform, CMS is currently replacing Medicare Carriers with Medicare Administrative Contractors. (See also "Medicare Administrative Contractors".)

 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

The federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program. Among its responsibilities, CMS oversees the Medicare Administrative Contractors involved in the processing and review of Medicare claims at the first and second level of appeals.

 

Chief Administrative Law Judge

The Chief Administrative Law Judge is the head official of OMHA and oversees all OMHA operations and personnel.

 

Claim

A claim is a request for payment for items and services billed under the Medicare program.

 

Coverage determination

 

 

A decision by a Medicare Part D plan sponsor not to provide or pay for a Part D drug that the enrollee believes may be covered by the plan.  See 42 CFR 423.566.

 

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D

Departmental Appeals Board (DAB)

A Board established in the Office of the Secretary of  DHHS whose members acts in panels to provide impartial review of disputed decisions made by operating components of the Department or by ALJs. The Medicare Appeals Council is a division of the DAB. Note, this is the regulatory definition. See 42 CFR 400.202. 

 

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E

Enrollee

An individual who is eligible and has elected or has enrolled in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan.

 

Entitlement Appeals

The process pertaining to an individual's application to enroll in the Medicare program and receive Medicare benefits.

 

Evidence

Information presented throughout the appeals process for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an alleged matter of fact. This may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents or objects.

 

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F

Fiscal intermediary

A private company that has a contract with CMS to determine and make Medicare payment for Part A benefits and certain Part B benefits. As part of the mandatory Medicare Contract Reform, CMS is currently replacing Fiscal Intermediaries with Medicare Administrative Contractors. (See Medicare Administrative Contractors). See 42 C.F.R. § 405.902.

 

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H

Hearing

See "ALJ Hearing".

 

Health Insurance Claims Number (HICN)

The number assigned by the Social Security Administration to an individual identifying him/her as a Medicare beneficiary. This number is shown on the beneficiary's insurance card and is used in processing Medicare claims for that beneficiary.

 

Hospital Insurance Benefits (Medicare Part A)

 

 

The Hospital Insurance benefits help pay for inpatient hospital services, post hospital skilled nursing facility care, home health services and hospice care.

 

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I

Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)

The additional amount of premium that a beneficiary will pay for Medicare Part B coverage based on income above a certain threshold. The income-related monthly adjustment amount is based on a beneficiary's modified adjusted gross income.

 

Initial determination (Entitlement Appeals)

A determination made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) pertaining to an individual's application for Medicare benefits and/or entitlement to receive Medicare benefits under Part A and/or Part B of the Medicare program.

 

Initial determination (Claim Appeals)

Following a receipt of a claim for payment, a determination issued by the Medicare Administrative Contractor indicating whether the item or service is covered and otherwise reimbursable under the Medicare program, and the amount of payment due.

 

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M

Managing Administrative Law Judge (MALJ)

In OHMA, a Managing Administrative Law Judge (MALJ) is responsible for and leads a field office.  The MALJ report to the Chief Administrative Law Judge and supervises the Administrative Law Judges within his or her respective field office.

 

Medicare Advantage Plan (MA plan)

Health benefits coverage offered under a policy or contract by an MS organization that includes a specific set of health benefits offered at a uniform premium and uniform level of cost-sharing to all Medicare beneficiaries residing in the service area of the MA plan.

 

Medicare Advantage Program (Part C)

The program under Part C which provides all Part A and Part B services as well as additional services in some cases through Medicare Advantage health plans.

 

Medicare Administrative Contractor

The entity contracted with CMS that is responsible for the receipt, processing and payment of Medicare service claims under the Original Medicare Part A and Part B programs. In addition to providing claims processing, these contractors will be the primary contact for physicians and perform functions related to: Appeals, Provider Outreach and Education, Financial Management, Provider Enrollment, Reimbursement, Payment Safeguards, and Information Systems Security. As part of the Medicare Contract Reform, CMS is currently replacing the fiscal intermediaries and carriers with Medicare Administrative Contractors.

 

Medicare Appeals Council

A division within HHS Departmental Appeals Board that reviews and hears cases following an Administrative Law Judge decision pertaining to Medicare claims and entitlement appeals.

 

Medicare Prescription Drug plan

A prescription drug plan offering qualified prescription drug coverage, or a cost plan offering qualified prescription drug coverage. See 42 C.F.R. § 423.4.

 

Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D)

 

The program under Part D of the Medicare statute that helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.  Beneficiaries obtain prescription drugs through Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

 

Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA)

This 2003 legislation provided Medicare eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities with a prescription drug benefit. The MMA also created OMHA.

 

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N

Notice of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decision

 

 

A document that notifies the parties of the written decision of the ALJ. The notice of decision gives findings of fact, conclusions of law and the reasons for the decision. The notice of decision also provides information about the right to appeal the decision to the MAC. See 42 CFR 405.1046.

 

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O

On-the-record

An appeal in which the issues are decided based solely on the documentary evidence and without an oral hearing. In OMHA, a party can waive its right to an oral hearing and request the case be decided on- the- record. An ALJ may decide a case on-the-record when all parties indicate in writing that they do not wish to appear at an oral hearing. The ALJ may also decide a case on-the-record when the documentary evidence supports a finding fully favorable to the appellant(s). See 42 CFR 405.1038.

 

Organization determination

A determination regarding the benefits an enrollee is entitled to receive under a MA plan. The organization determination is made by MA plan under Part C of the Medicare program. See 42 CFR 422.566.

 

Original Medicare

 

 

Health insurance available under Medicare Part A and Part B through the traditional fee for service payment system.

 

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P

Party

An individual or entity listed in 42 C.F.R. § 405.906 that has standing to appeal an initial determination and/or a subsequent administrative appeal determination. This can include a beneficiary, a provider, a supplier, or a Medicaid State agency.

 

Provider

 

 

 

 

A hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, home health agency, or hospice that has in effect an agreement to participate in Medicare, or clinic, rehabilitation agency or public health agency that has in effect a similar agreement, but only to furnish outpatient physical therapy or speech pathology services, or a community mental health center that has in effect a similar agreement but only to furnish partial hospitalization services. See 42 C.F.R. § 405.902.

 

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Q

Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC)

An entity that has a contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review appeals following a redetermination by a Medicare Administrative Contractor (e.g., fiscal intermediary, carrier) and reconsiderations issued by Quality Improvement Organizations. QICs issue reconsiderations and represent level 2 of the Medicare appeals process.

 

Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)

An entity that has a contract with CMS to monitor the appropriateness, effectiveness and quality of care furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. QIOs makes determinations as to whether the services provided were medically necessary and responses to beneficiary's complaints about the quality of care provided. 

 

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R

Reconsideration

The decision made in the second level of the Medicare appeals process.  A reconsideration consists of an independent on-the-record review of an initial determination, including the redetermination and all issues related to payment of the claim.  A reconsideration is conducted by a QIC under Medicare Parts A and B or an Independent Review Entity under Part D.

 

Reconsidered Determination

In Part C cases, an on-the-record decision issued by an Independent Outside Entity following an adverse reconsideration, in whole or in part, by a MA organization.

 

Redetermination

An independent review of an initial determination. A redetermination is conducted by the same Medicare contractor that issued the initial determination and refers to the decision made in the first level of the Medicare appeals process.

 

Regulation

 

 

A rule or order made by a government agency in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

 

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S

Supplementary Medicare Insurance Program (Part B)

The Medicare program that pays for a portion of the costs related to physicians' services, outpatient hospital services, ambulance services, laboratory tests, wheelchairs, hospital beds and other medical and health related services not covered by Medicare Part A for voluntarily insured aged and disabled individuals.

 

Supplier

A physician or other practitioner, a facility or other entity (other than a provider of services) that furnishes items or services under Medicare. See 42 CFR §405.902.

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V

 Video teleconference (VTC)

A meeting where those attending view and hear each other with the use of video cameras and televisions from different locations.

 

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W

Witness

 

 

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A person who testifies under oath at a hearing and who provides firsthand or expert evidence.