The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has committed to improving the Medicare claims appeals process. This commitment includes the internal implementation of an expanded Settlement Conference Facilitation (SCF) program by the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA). SCF is an alternative dispute resolution process at OMHA that gives certain providers and suppliers an opportunity to resolve their eligible Part A and Part B appeals.

In order to educate all Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B providers and suppliers who have OMHA or Medicare Appeals Council appeals pending, an SCF Expansion Open Door Call will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 1:30 pm. The call will focus on the logistics of the SCF process and SCF eligibility criteria. Providers that plan to join the call are encouraged to submit their questions in advance via email and include “SCF May 22 Call” in the subject line. To participate, registration is required. Additionally, providers are encouraged to read the updated SCF expansion materials, including an SCF Expansion Frequently Asked Questions document, on the website.