After October 25, 2013, NHIC Corp. will not provide technical support for its Stratford Medicare billing software product.
National Government Services utilizes PC-ACE Pro 32 software as the free contractor-supplied claims submission software. Current NHIC, Corp. providers who use the NHIC, Corp. free software program, Stratford, will need to migrate to the PC-ACE Pro 32 software prior to the transition to National Government Services on October 25, 2013, or chose one of the following options:
- Contract with Stratford directly for their full support for transition to the National Government Services Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Gateway. National Government Services will not support the Stratford software during Early Boarding or after the cutover on October 25, 2013. During Early Boarding files sent to the National Government Services gateway will process through EDI to the NHIC, Corp. Part B claims regions for processing. For additional information regarding Stratford Software support, please see visit the NHIC, Corp. Web site at nhic.medicaresoftware.net.
- Install the National Government Services 2.46 version of PC-ACE Pro 32. There will be no conversion available for their beneficiary data. Therefore it will be necessary to enter your patient information.
- Select an alternate software vendor.
All providers will need to have Network Service Vendor (NSV) connectivity to access the National Government Services EDI Gateway. Those providers who currently utilize the NHIC, Corp. Part B supplied Stratford software program who wish to take advantage of the Early Boarding opportunity may do so if they have established connectivity via an NSV (see below for more information on NSV).
Information About PC-ACE Pro 32 Software
PC-ACE Pro32 is a professional stand-alone claims processing system that enables an electronic submitter to store demographic information, enter and store claim information, and prepare files for Medicare Part B. These files are prepared in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant 837 ANSI 5010 format. The software was developed and is licensed from Systems Design, Inc. (SDI), who maintains and upgrades the program as necessary.
The PC-ACE Pro32 software program is an effective and easy-to-use system for entering Medicare claims. PC-ACE Pro32 offers the ability to key all claim data prior to establishing a connection with National Government Services.
Some other features of PC-ACE Pro32 include:
- Networking capabilities
- Quarterly releases
- Full Medicare claim data entry capability with comprehensive editing
- Real-time claim editing and automated code validation (procedure, diagnosis, etc.)
- Pre-loaded with place of service codes, type of service codes, provider specialty codes, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) procedure codes, modifiers, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, taxonomy codes, claim adjustment reason codes and remittance remark codes
- A "Charges Master" file is available to compile a list of frequently used procedures and charges. This allows selection of procedure codes from a customized list instead of searching a complete list of HCPCS codes when entering claim information.
- Patient information database that will automatically post demographic patient information when entering claim data
- Claims history and tracking capability
- Backup, restore and file maintenance functions
- Comprehensive online help system
Before requesting the PC-ACE Pro32 software program, please take a few minutes to ensure your computer meets the following technical requirements:
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable modems, and VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol) phone service connections cannot be used to connect to National Government Services EDI Gateway.
- Adobe Acrobat reader version 4.0 or later (for overlaid claims printing)
- SVGA monitor 800 x 600 resolution or greater
- Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 or NT 4.0 Operating Systems
Getting Started
You will need to download the PC-ACE Pro 32 software from our Web site. Complete instructions for downloading the PC-ACE software are located under Claims > Electronic Submissions (EDI) > Technical Information > Software >PC-ACE Pro32 click on the "Learn more about PC-ACE Pro32 (Professional)" link then PC-ACE Pro32 Part B Full Install Instructions.
In addition, the "PC-ACE Pro32 Quick Reference Guide (Professional)" is located on the NGS Web site under Part B > Publications > Manuals.
To download the software, go the PC-ACE download page at Part B > Claims > Electronic Submissions (EDI) > PC-ACE Download Form (http://www.ngsmedicare.com/ngs/portal/ngsmedicare/pcacedownload?LOB=Part+B), enter your Provider number, ZIP code, provider name and provider email address (this is necessary send you updated information). Select the third bullet for "PC-ACE Full Installation Version 2.46.0.100 for all new Part B, J6 and JK (Institutional and Professional) PC-ACE Pro 32 users Version 5010." Click the Submit Request button and follow the instructions to download the software. The approximate download time is 50 minutes at 56KB.
All providers with access to the Internet should have the capability to download this billing software free of charge. However, if that is not the case, this software will continue to be available on CD for a $25 nonrefundable fee. Contact the EDI Help Desk at 888-379-9132 or submit an Online E-mail Inquiry form for assistance. If it is determined that you are not capable of downloading the software, you will be provided with the appropriate form to request the PC-ACE Pro32 software on CD.
To save time and money for you and the Medicare Program, we strongly encourage you to download this program when enrolling or upgrading. CMS requires PC-ACE Pro32 customers to perform PC-ACE Pro32 software upgrades within 90 days of the upgrade availability.
PC-ACE Pro32 Part B Full Install InstructionsPlease print these instructions to use as a reference throughout the full install process. Steps 1-6 only need to be completed if you initiate your upgrade from the National Government Services Web site home page
- Go to the National Government Services Web site home page
- Select the Go to Home Page for your Part B contract type and location
- Select Accept when presented with the Attestation page
- Select the Electronic Submissions (EDI) sub-navigation option under Claims on the left-side navigation
- In the middle of the page, under Technical Information, Select the Software link
- Under Software, select the PC-ACE Pro32 (Professional) link
- Under PC-ACE Pro32 (Professional), select Learn more about PC-ACE Pro32 (Professional); a new window will open titled PC-ACE Pro32 (Professional) and from here you can select PC-ACE Pro32 Software Download Page.
- Complete the provider information fields at the top of the form then select the third radio button to the left of PC-ACE Full Installation version 2.46.0.100 for all new Part B, J6 and JK (Institutional and Professional) PC-ACE Pro32 users Version 5010.
- Please note the installation code which is at the top of the page under the National Government Services logo
- Once you have noted the installation code select the Download button to start the download
- A message will appear: Do you want to open or save this file?-select Save
- On the left side of the Save In dialogue box, select the Desktop button to save the file to your desktop, then select Save
- The file will begin to download to your desktop
- A message will appear: Download complete-close the download dialogue box and your Internet browser
- Launch the setup.zip icon; your unzip wizard should open. Note: Since unzip utilities vary, you are responsible for getting this file unzipped to your desktop. Please following the instructions for your unzip utility.
- Double Click setup.exe icon on your desktop, which will open the file
- The Wise Installation Wizard will begin
- Installation code is NGSMAC1
- At the Welcome window, select Next
- At the Drive Selection window, select Next
- At the Start Installation window, select Next
- Follow the online instructions until Finish is selected
- To access PC-ACE Pro32, select the PCACE Pro32 icon and the enter the default user ID "SYSADMIN" and the password "SYSADMIN"
- Download the PC-ACE Pro32 Quick Reference Guide (Professional) (2 MB) for assistance with setting up the program.
- Download the PC-ACE Pro32 Release X.XX User's Manual from the System Design, Inc. Web site for assistance with changing the default user ID and password.
EDI Help Desk
There are several options for contacting the EDI Help Desk when technical assistance or password resets are needed. The EDI Help Desk can be reached at 888-379-9132 and is consistently available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday. An online inquiry form is available on the National Government Services Web site under Resources > Contact Us > National Government Services EDI Help Desk E-mail Inquiry Form (EDI E-mail Inquiry Form). This is the preferred method for all inquiries other than password reset requests.
National Government Services EDI offers several self-service opportunities. As noted above, an IVR is available to obtain the status of an enrollment request submitted through the online enrollment application.
New Telecommunications Requirements for the National Government Services EDI Gateway - Network Service Vendor (NSV)
It is important to note that access to the National Government Services EDI Gateway must be obtained through an NSV. These vendors offer telecommunications services and benefits that not only include access to the National Government Services EDI Gateway but also to the CMS data center in support of 270/271 Eligibility Inquiry and Response transactions. An NSV profile guide is available on our Web site at Telecommunications with the National Government Services EDI Gateway . This profile will provide you with information on the services provided by the NSVs to assist you with determining the appropriate NSV to meet your telecommunication needs. NHIC, Corp. previously communicated the need for electronic submitters to migrate to an NSV. Refer to this link: 05/15/2013 - J14 MAC - Effective August 15, 2013 Modem Connection.
Note: If you are already using one of these NSVs for batch file transfer, or eligibility, you may simply contact them to request access to the National Government Service EDI Gateway.
Training Programs for PC-ACE Pro 32 Software
National Government Services will be conducting Introduction of the PC-ACE Pro32 Program for Part B Providers Webinars designed to assist you with the installation and use of the PC-ACE software. We will address specific questions from our providers and trading partners on how to download, set up and enter a claim using the PC-ACE Pro32 Program.
These 90-minute educational sessions will be conducted on the following dates. To register for these programs, please visit our Web site at http://www.NGSMedicare.com > Part B > Training Events Calendar.
August 26, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
September 9, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
September 16, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
September 23, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
October 7, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
October 14, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
October 21, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
November 4, 2013 Introduction to PC-ACE Pro 32 Webinar
