What is a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)?

A Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) is a private healthcare insurer awarded a regional contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to process Medicare Part A and Part B fee-for-service (FFS) claims, enroll providers, handle appeals, and manage provider telephone inquiry services for a specific multi-state geographic jurisdiction.

Are Medicare IVR systems available 24 hours a day?

Yes. Automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone systems for all major MACs (Noridian, Novitas, Palmetto GBA, NGS, CGS, and FCSO) are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during routine Sunday maintenance windows. Live Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are only reachable during standard business hours (typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local jurisdiction time).

What data must I have ready before calling Medicare IVR?

To pass automated telephony authentication, you must have ready: 1) Billing or Rendering NPI, 2) Active Provider PTAN, 3) Last 5 digits of the provider's Tax ID (TIN/EIN), 4) Beneficiary Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), 5) Beneficiary last name and Date of Birth (MMDDYYYY), and 6) Specific Date of Service (DOS). The IVR will disconnect after 3 failed attempts.

How do I enter letters in an MBI or PTAN over the phone?

Medicare IVR systems use specialized dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) star codes for letters. In Medicare systems, pressing *21 enters 'A', *22 enters 'B', *23 enters 'C', up through *94 for 'Z'. You can use our free IVR Touch-Tone Converter to instantly translate alphanumeric MBIs and PTANs into exact phone keypad sequences.

Which MAC handles Railroad Medicare claims?

All national Medicare Part B claims for Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries are processed exclusively by Palmetto GBA Railroad Medicare, regardless of which state the provider or patient is located in. Their direct Part B IVR line is 877-288-7600.

What is the difference between an A/B MAC and a DME MAC?

A/B MACs process claims for professional physician services (Part B) and institutional/hospital care (Part A). DME MACs process claims exclusively for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). The nation is divided into 4 DME Jurisdictions (A, B, C, and D), each with dedicated telephone inquiry numbers.

Official CMS A/B MAC Directory

Medicare MAC Jurisdiction & IVR Phone Directory

Find official Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Part A and Part B IVR phone numbers, customer service hours, and DTMF menu tree shortcuts across all 50 states and US territories.

All 12 CMS A/B Jurisdictions24/7 Automated IVR NumbersDME & Railroad Medicare Covered

Medicare MAC Jurisdiction Lookup

Select your state to instantly find official Medicare Part A/B IVR phone numbers, customer service hours, and DTMF menu guides.

2026 CMS Official Jurisdictions

Select State / Territory

Search by Name or Contractor

Medicare Focus

Active Assignment

California (CA)

Contractor: Noridian Healthcare Solutions • J-E

Noridian Medicare Portal

Part B (Medical)IVR Automated

Part B Interactive Voice (IVR)

Automated claim status, eligibility, MBI verification, and check inquiries.

855-609-9960

Dial Part B

Part A (Hospital)IVR Automated

Part A Interactive Voice (IVR)

Facility claims, inpatient day tracking, SNF benefits, and institutional remittances.

855-609-9960

Dial Part A

Live AgentBusiness Hours

Customer Service (CSR)

Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT

855-609-9960

Call Live Agent

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

DME Jurisdiction D • Noridian

Covers wheelchairs, CPAP, oxygen, orthotics, prosthetics, and medical supplies for California.

877-320-0390 Call DME

Jurisdiction E (J-E) IVR Keypad Menu Shortcuts

Standard DTMF touch-tone routing shortcuts for Noridian Healthcare Solutions.

Automated IVR Available 24/7

1Claim Status & Payment

Inquire about claim processing, payment dates, check amounts, and paid/pending claim status.

2Beneficiary Eligibility & MBI

Check Medicare Part A/B effective dates, Medicare Advantage (Part C) enrollment, and deductible balances.

3Deductible & Preventive Services

Review remaining Part B deductible and eligible preventive health screening dates.

4Provider Enrollment & PTAN

Verify provider enrollment status, PTAN linkage, and revalidation deadlines.

0Customer Service Representative

Transfer to a live Medicare billing agent during active call center business hours.

Calling Noridian Healthcare Solutions IVR right now?

Medicare IVRs require entering beneficiary names and MBIs using specialized touch-tone star codes (e.g. A=*21, B=*22). Convert your MBI or PTAN in seconds:

Open IVR Converter

Avoid Hang-ups & Rejections

What to Have Ready Before Calling Medicare IVR

Medicare automated telephone systems will disconnect the call if the following authentication data is not entered within 3 attempts:

1National Provider Identifier (NPI)

10-digit standard billing or rendering provider NPI.

2Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN)

Medicare billing legacy number assigned to your enrolled practice.

3Provider Tax ID Number (TIN)

Last 5 digits of the provider EIN or SSN used on claim submissions.

4Beneficiary Medicare ID (MBI)

11-character alphanumeric beneficiary identifier (e.g. 1EG4-TE5-MK72).

5Beneficiary Details

First 6 letters of last name, first initial, and Date of Birth (MMDDYYYY).

6Date of Service (DOS)

Specific claim date of service (MMDDYYYY) or 8-digit range.

All 50 States Medicare MAC & IVR Directory

Showing 54 of 54 states & territories. Click any row to view full details.

State	Jurisdiction	Contractor	Part B IVR	Part A IVR	CSR Live Hours
Alabama (AL)	J-J	Palmetto GBA	877-567-7271	877-567-7271	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
Alaska (AK)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
Arizona (AZ)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT
Arkansas (AR)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
California (CA)	J-E	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	855-609-9960	855-609-9960	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
Colorado (CO)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
Connecticut (CT)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Delaware (DE)	J-L	Novitas Solutions	877-252-8782	877-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
District of Columbia (DC)	J-L	Novitas Solutions	877-252-8782	877-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Florida (FL)	J-N	First Coast Service Options	877-847-4992	877-602-8816	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Georgia (GA)	J-J	Palmetto GBA	877-567-7271	877-567-7271	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
Hawaii (HI)	J-E	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	855-609-9960	855-609-9960	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
Idaho (ID)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT
Illinois (IL)	J-6	National Government Services	866-234-7340	866-277-7287	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4pm CT
Indiana (IN)	J-6	National Government Services	866-234-7340	866-277-7287	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4pm CT
Iowa (IA)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Kansas (KS)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Kentucky (KY)	J-15	CGS Administrators	866-276-9558	866-276-9558	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4:30pm ET
Louisiana (LA)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
Maine (ME)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Maryland (MD)	J-L	Novitas Solutions	877-252-8782	877-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Massachusetts (MA)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Michigan (MI)	J-6	National Government Services	866-234-7340	866-277-7287	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4pm CT
Minnesota (MN)	J-6	National Government Services	866-234-7340	866-277-7287	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4pm CT
Mississippi (MS)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
Missouri (MO)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Montana (MT)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT
Nebraska (NE)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Nevada (NV)	J-E	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	855-609-9960	855-609-9960	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
New Hampshire (NH)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
New Jersey (NJ)	J-L	Novitas Solutions	877-252-8782	877-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
New Mexico (NM)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
New York (NY)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
North Carolina (NC)	J-M	Palmetto GBA	855-696-0705	855-696-0705	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
North Dakota (ND)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Ohio (OH)	J-15	CGS Administrators	866-276-9558	866-276-9558	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4:30pm ET
Oklahoma (OK)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
Oregon (OR)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
Pennsylvania (PA)	J-L	Novitas Solutions	877-252-8782	877-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Rhode Island (RI)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
South Carolina (SC)	J-M	Palmetto GBA	855-696-0705	855-696-0705	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
South Dakota (SD)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm CT
Tennessee (TN)	J-J	Palmetto GBA	877-567-7271	877-567-7271	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
Texas (TX)	J-H	Novitas Solutions	855-252-8782	855-252-8782	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm CT
Utah (UT)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT
Vermont (VT)	J-K	National Government Services	888-867-2165	888-867-2165	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Virginia (VA)	J-M	Palmetto GBA	855-696-0705	855-696-0705	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
Washington (WA)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT
West Virginia (WV)	J-M	Palmetto GBA	855-696-0705	855-696-0705	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm ET
Wisconsin (WI)	J-6	National Government Services	866-234-7340	866-277-7287	Mon - Fri, 7am - 4pm CT
Wyoming (WY)	J-F	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	877-908-8431	877-908-8431	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT
Puerto Rico (PR)	J-N	First Coast Service Options	877-847-4992	877-602-8816	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
US Virgin Islands (VI)	J-N	First Coast Service Options	877-847-4992	877-602-8816	Mon - Fri, 8am - 4pm ET
Guam (GU)	J-E	Noridian Healthcare Solutions	855-609-9960	855-609-9960	Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm PT

Understanding Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) & IVR Systems

When healthcare billing specialists verify claim adjudication, patient eligibility, or payment status directly with Medicare, they do not call a single central federal office. Instead, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracts multi-state regional entities known as Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to manage traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare claims.

What Does an A/B MAC Do?

A/B MACs process claims for both Part A (institutional providers such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospices) and Part B (physicians, non-physician practitioners, ambulatory surgery centers, and independent clinical laboratories). Each contractor is responsible for enrollment, medical review, appeals, and provider education within their jurisdiction.

Why Use Automated IVR Instead of Live Agents?

CMS policy mandates that routine inquiries — such as claim status, check amounts, deductible balances, and beneficiary eligibility — must first be handled through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems or online provider portals. Live Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are reserved for complex claims that cannot be resolved automatically, often requiring billers to verify that IVR data was checked first.

Pro Tips for Faster Medicare IVR Adjudication

Call during off-peak hours: The automated IVR is open 24/7. Calling before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM local jurisdiction time eliminates telecom trunk line congestion and reduces system latency.
Pre-convert alphanumeric letters: When entering an MBI or PTAN, do not guess phone keypad numbers. Use our IVR Converter Tool to pre-translate letters like A, B, C into their exact dual-tone keypad codes (*21, *22, *23).
Have Internal Control Numbers (ICN) ready: If you are inquiring about a specific processed claim, entering the 13-digit claim ICN immediately jumps the IVR to the exact adjudication record without needing DOS or procedure code confirmation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding Medicare MAC contractor assignments, IVR phone operations, and claim status checks.