The Beneficiary Automated Status and Inquiry System (BASIS) is available to participants of the Voluntary Data Sharing Agreement (VDSA) program. The BASIS allows you to make on-line Medicare entitlement queries to CMS’ Enrollment Data Base (EDB) to determine if an individual is a Medicare beneficiary and if so, obtain available entitlement information. The BASIS serves as a useful tool when you have a need to know specific information during the interval between quarterly file exchanges.

Access to the BASIS Application

The VDSA participant gains access to the BASIS application by dialing in to a designated phone line and entering their assigned identification number and password.

Information Provided through BASIS

Participants may request Medicare entitlement information for up to 100 enrollees per month. A 48-hour turnaround rate is expected from the time that the request is entered until the beneficiary information is posted for review. Information such as a beneficiary’s Medicare effective date and entitlement reason may be obtained provided the information is listed in CMS’ EDB. When a match is not found, the participant is notified. The information posted in the BASIS application remains accessible to the participant for a period of thirty-days (30).

Benefit of BASIS

Immediate access to the Medicare entitlement information provided through BASIS can help you identify, on an as needed basis, not only when Medicare is the secondary payer but also when Medicare is the primary payer. This helps to simplify the coordination process and ensure that primary payment is paid appropriately.

Contact Us

For more information on the VDSA program and the BASIS application, please contact us at:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Voluntary Data Sharing Agreement Program
c/o Coordination of Benefits Contractor
P.O. Box 660
New York, NY 10274-0660

Or contact the COB Contractor’s Customer Service Department at 1-800-999-1118 or TTY/TDD: 1-800-318-8782 for the hearing and speech impaired, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, except holidays, and ask the Customer Service Representative about Voluntary Data Sharing Agreements.

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Related Links Inside CMS
Insurer Voluntary Data Sharing Agreements Employers’ Frequently Asked Questions Insurers’ Frequently Asked Questions
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Page Last Modified: 12/14/2005 12:00:00 AM
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