Paper Claims Processing Delay – Applies to Part B Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas providers. TrailBlazer is in the process of transitioning to a new vendor for the imaging of paper Medicare claims. This change should enable us to transfer paper claim copies to a higher copier-quality image that will reduce scanning errors and result in faster claims processing. Due to this phased-in transition, there is currently an increase in paper workload inventory. TrailBlazer is unable to confirm receipt status of your claims in our system for claims submitted in the first 45–60 day period. We are requesting that providers not resubmit claims, as that only increases processing delays and will create unnecessary duplicates. Please check back periodically with the provider call centers for updated receipt date status. If a claim is “clean” (we have all the basic information necessary to adjudicate the claim) and cannot be processed within 30 days of TrailBlazer’s original mailroom receipt date, providers will be paid interest on any claim delayed due to this process change.
Update: TrailBlazer is currently processing paper claims at 38 days as of January 12, 2009.