July 8, 2004

EDS, the Medi-Cal fiscal intermediary, is seeking volunteers to beta-test the 270/271 Version 4010A1 Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response transactions through leased-line and CICS Inter-System Communication (ISC) submissions. Beta testing for these transactions will occur this fall. To ensure thorough beta testing, the final group of volunteers must represent a comprehensive cross-section of the user community. Therefore, participation is voluntary but is by invitation only, and this notice is not a promise of inclusion in the beta-test program. Interested parties will be evaluated and, if selected to participate, notified prior to September 2004.

Those interested in volunteering are strongly encouraged to review the 270/271 Version 4010A1 Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response Companion Guide. The Companion Guide supplements the Implementation Guide and provides data clarifications that apply exclusively to Medi-Cal. The transactions addressed in the 270/271 Companion Guide are the Eligibility Inquiry in the 4010A1 implementation format; Spend Down (Share of Cost) and Spend Down Reversals in the 4010 standard format; and Medical Services Reservations (MSR) and MSR Reversals in the 4010 standard format.

If you are interested in becoming a beta-test volunteer, call the Telephone Service Center (TSC) at 1-800-541-5555 (border providers and out-of-state billers, call [916] 636-1200) and select the prompt for POS/Internet inquiries. Inform the operator of your interest in volunteering as a beta tester for the 270/271 Version 4010A1 Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response transactions. If you are selected as a beta-test volunteer, you will be contacted by an EDS software engineer with details about the beta testing.