Medicare HETS 270/271 Submitters:
CMS reminds Submitters of the scheduled installation of the HETS R2021Q100 release. Please note that this installation should not cause an outage to the Medicare HETS 270/271 eligibility system, but submitters may notice reduced performance (limited errors and/or response time) during the installation. The HETS R2021Q100 Release is scheduled to be installed beginning at 9:00 AM ET on Saturday, April 3, 2021 and should be complete in a matter of minutes. The HETS 270/271 system will remain available during the installation. CMS estimates that the installation will be complete and verified by 11:00 AM ET on Saturday, April 3, 2021. MCARE will notify all HETS submitters when the installation is complete.
The HETS R2021Q100 system release will introduce potential changes to both the HETS 270 request and the HETS 271 response. HETS 270/271 Submitters should carefully review the linked documentation for more information.
CMS reminds HETS Submitters that the COVID-19 immunization changes included in the HETS R2021Q100 release will have a phased implementation. Following tomorrow's installation, if Service Type Code '80' is included on the request then HETS will return COVID-19 immunization plan level eligibility and financial details for Medicare Part B eligible Beneficiaries. The HETS 271 eligibility response will later be enhanced to include prior COVID-19 vaccination data once that data is available to HETS. CMS estimates the additional COVID-19 vaccination data should be available by Friday, April 16, 2021. MCARE will notify HETS Submitters when the additional data is available.
HETS R2021Q100 Release Summary: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r2021q100-hets-270271-release-summary.pdf (PDF) (version 1.4)
HETS R2021Q100 Companion Guide: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r2021q100-hets-270271-companion-guide-v10-22.pdf (PDF) (version 10-22)
Please contact the MCARE Help Desk if you have any questions or comments.