U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America	Frequent Questions Search

Font Size     Print     Download Reader

This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

TO HELP HEALTH PROVIDERS PREPARE FOR Y2K,
HCFA ESTABLISHES TOLL-FREE PHONE LINE
AND HOSTS CONFERENCES NATIONWIDE

As part of its continuing efforts to help doctors, hospitals, laboratories, HMOs and other health care plans and providers prepare their computer systems for the Year 2000, the Health Care Financing Administration has launched a new toll-free telephone line, 1-800-958-HCFA (1-800-958-4232).

In addition, the agency is hosting seminars the week of March 29 through April 3 across the country to help health care plans and providers get ready for Y2K. Seminars will take place in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Boston; New York; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Kansas City; Denver; San Francisco; and Seattle. (The Washington, D.C., seminar will take place at 9 a.m. March 29 in the Great Hall of the Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave., S.W.)

"We are doing what we can to help the people and institutions that deliver health care services get ready for the Year 2000," HCFA Administrator Nancy-Ann DeParle said. "While HCFA is responsible for the financing of health care for our beneficiaries, continuity of care depends on far more than our own Medicare payment systems. It depends on doctors, hospitals, plans and other service providers making sure that their equipment will work, so that they can be paid and medical records will be properly handled.

"While most providers are aware of the challenge, there are still many who have to take action to prepare their computer systems for the Year 2000," DeParle said. "That is why we are taking our role seriously to help them prepare for the millennium."

The toll-free telephone line and seminars, along with upcoming managed care conferences, are part of the agency's ongoing efforts to provide information on the Y2K computer date change to all health care providers. In order to increase Y2K awareness, HCFA's administrator, Nancy-Ann DeParle, took the unprecedented step in January of mailing 1.25 million letters to health care providers across the United States. HCFA has also posted materials about Y2K readiness, including a provider checklist, on the agency's Web site, hcfa.hhs.gov/y2k. HCFA is the federal agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid.

Callers to 1-800-958-HCFA (1-800-958-4232) will be able to get answers to Y2K questions that relate to medical supplies, their facilities and business operations as well as referrals for more specific billing information. The toll-free line will also update callers on HCFA's Y2K policies and provide general assistance to help callers prepare their own computer systems for the millennium.

The Y2K Action Week conferences will provide detailed information about what doctors' offices, hospitals, equipment suppliers, pharmacies and other health care providers need to do to be Y2K ready. In addition to information about Medicare and Medicaid, attendees will hear about biomedical equipment and drug supplies from the Food and Drug Administration, and coverage and eligibility issues from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Representatives from local industries whose efforts are critical to the success of the health care industry in meeting the Y2K challenge, such as public utilities, telecommunications, banking, transportation and emergency services will also discuss their Y2K action plans and contingency plans as they affect small businesses.

"HCFA's foremost concern has been, and continues to be, assuring that our more than 70 million Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries continue to receive the health care services they need," DeParle said. "That is why we are addressing the Year 2000 issues in our systems while engaging in an unprecedented effort to raise awareness and provide information to states and private sector individuals and organizations that serve them."

###

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: www.dhhs.gov.