INFORMATION ON A PROSPECTIVE SOLICITATION FOR MEDICARE TRANSACTION SYSTEM (MTS) OPERATING SITES TO BE POSTED TO HCFA'S MTS ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD. ACCESS NUMBER: (410) 786-0196 POC John Amrhein, (410) 786-7447. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has contracted with GTE to design and develop a fully integrated and standardized claims processing system to facilitate the uniform and consistent processing of Medicare claims. This system is known as the Medicare Transaction System (MTS) and HCFA will be contracting for MTS Operating Sites to perform data processing services using the MTS claims processing software. HCFA wishes to provide information about the MTS project to interested parties. The agency believes that it would be beneficial to the public, industry, and HCFA itself to make such information such as the MTS design, operating capabilities, specifications, schedules, and resulting solicitation documents easily available. With this in mind, HCFA has established the MTS Bulletin Board, an electronic bulletin board system that will contain information related to the MTS activities. The BBS was set up in November and was announced in the Commerce Business Daily on November 15, 1995. On or about January 8, 1996, HCFA will place on the MTS Bulletin Board information concerning the acquisition of the MTS Operating Sites. An anticipated acquisition schedule for the sites will be provided, as will a draft statement of work, information on the type of contract, and information on how the proposals will be evaluated. This posting will be for informational purposes only and is subject to change. HCFA welcomes comments or suggestions on the information provided. HCFA will consider any input from interested parties, however, it will be under no obligation to respond to any comment, question or suggestion. When the MTS Operating Site Request for Proposals (RFP) is officially released, HCFA will formally respond to any questions regarding the document in accordance with procedures described within the RFP. Hard copies of the posting to the BBS will not be available unless it can be demonstrated that an individual cannot obtain the information electronically to access and send or receive data, a user will need a computer terminal equipped with the necessary hardware and software to interface with the MTS BBS. This hardware includes a computer, modem, telephone line, communication software, word processing software, and a printer. The MTS Bulletin Board will interface with Hayes compatible modems and commercial telecommunications software packages. Telecommunications software used must be able to support certain file transfer protocols. The MTS Bulletin Board can be accessed by dialing (410) 786-0196. Technical questions regarding online access, compatibility, or operation of the MTS Bulletin Board should be directed to the system operator, Don Benton at (410) 786-8973. General questions and information concerning the BBS should be directed to John Amrhein, Bureau of Program Operations, Office of Contract Administration, at (410) 786-7447.

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0409 19951221\SP-0001.MSC)