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Last Modified: 3/18/2013
Location: FL, PR, USVI
Business: Part A, Part B
Search help
Introduction
The search tool utilized on the First Coast Service Options’ (First Coast) Medicare provider website allows you to customize your search so that you can find what you’re looking for quickly and easily. You’ll find the search tool in the upper-right corner of every page of the provider website.
The search tool includes three main components:
1. Search criteria box -- use this field to define your search based upon a single keyword, a series of keywords, or a phrase.
2. Search parameter menu --use this helpful drop-down menu to set the scope of your search to specific areas of the First Coast Medicare provider website or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) website.
3. Search button -- use this button to execute your search.
Note: Your search will not include publications (unless specifically selected as a search parameter), local coverage determinations (LCDs), Remittance Advice (RA) remark and reason codes, or National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) bundled codes. To search for LCDs, you may use the First Coast Medical Coverage Page (Part A or Part B) or the CMS Medicare coverage database directly.
Step one: Setting your search criteria
The first step in forming a successful search query is to define your search criteria by entering a keyword, phrase, or series of keywords into the Search criteria box. Search terms may be alphabetic, numeric, or alphanumeric and must be at least three characters long.
Note: The criteria you select will define your search and should not only be as specific as possible but also be constructed to maximize the quality of results returned.
Search criteria (keyword) general guidelines
• Use specific keyword(s)
Sample search: Looking for information about the CMS-1500 form
Search criteria: Type 1500 form (instead of forms)
• Use a specific phrase by enclosing keywords in quotation marks -- only exact matches to the entire phrase will be returned
Sample search: Looking for information about private contracts
Search criteria: Type “private contracts”
• Expand your search by linking keywords with “OR” -- matches to either search term will be returned
Sample search: Looking for information about the humanitarian devices or investigational devices
Search criteria: Type humanitarian OR investigational
• Narrow your search by linking keywords with “AND” -- only matches containing all search terms will be returned
Sample search: Looking for information about opt-out and private contracts
Search criteria: Type “opt-out” AND “private contracts”
Tip: If you’re searching for information related to a specific change request (CR), enter your search criteria in this format: “MMxxxx” OR “CR xxxx” -- this will help you find the article more quickly.
Step two: Establishing your search parameters
Setting the parameters of your search is just as important as determining your search criteria. The scope of your search can be further refined by making a selection from the Search parameter menu.
Search parameter options
• Entire site (excluding archives) -- restricts your search to the First Coast Medicare provider website but does not search the First Coast publications archive. Items typically fall into archives after 120 days of being on the provider website.
• Part A publications/archives only -- restricts your search to the First Coast Part A publications archive
• Part B publications/archives only -- restricts your search to the First Coast Part B publications archive
• FAQs only -- restricts your search to the FAQ section of the First Coast Medicare provider website
• CMS only -- restricts your search to the CMS website and excludes the First Coast Medicare provider website
Step three: Executing your search
Once you have defined your search criteria and set the parameters of your search, you may either click the Search button or press the Enter key to execute it. If the search tool finds results matching your search criteria and parameters, the search results page will appear. If your search is unsuccessful, you will have the opportunity to modify your search or begin a new search.
Step four: Sorting the results of your successful search
Once the results of your search have been returned, the Search criteria box will temporarily “store” the keyword(s) you have entered. If your search query was successful, the Search results bar and the Previous search criteria bar will display above the results of your search.
The Search results page will display:
• Previous searches
• Sort option – Sort by relevance or date
• Limit results option – List all results or items posted in the last seven or 30 days
• A link to helpful search tips
• Most popular search terms
• Search criteria
• Number of results
Note: The default setting is to sort your results by relevance; however, the setting may be easily changed by clicking the hyperlink date. In addition, the timeframe is defaulted to display all results, but you may narrow the results by the last 7days or last thirty days by clicking the desired hyperlink.
The Previous Searches criteria bar will display up to three of your most recent searches. If you would like to return to a previous search, just click the corresponding hyperlink.
Available options if your search is unsuccessful
If your search is unsuccessful, you will be presented with a variety of options, many of which are dependent upon whether you set your location preference or your line of business prior to formulating your search. For more information regarding setting your location and line of business preferences, please refer to our Navigation help for additional guidance. The Previous search criteria bar will display up to three of your most recent searches. If you would like to return to a previous search, just click the corresponding hyperlink.
No search results options:
• Search Part A Publications, Part B Publications, Google, or Yahoo!: Select your choice from the drop-down menu to change the target of your current search.
• Search local coverage determinations (LCDs): This series of links offers you the option to view a list of Active, Future effective, or Retired LCDs for your specific geographic location and line of business. Note: If you have previously set your location and/or line of business (during your current visit), options will be displayed in accordance with those preferences.
• Fee schedules: This series of links offers you the option to view the fee schedule page for your specific geographic location and line of business. Note: If you have previously set your location and/or line of business (during your current visit), options will be displayed in accordance with your previously set preferences.
• Search help: This section includes the following options:
• First Coast contact phone numbers and addresses: This series of links offers you the option to view the First Coast contact telephone numbers and addresses for your specific geographic location and line of business. Note: If you have previously set your location and/or line of business (during your current visit), options will be displayed in accordance with those preferences.
• Site map: This page provides a list of all top level pages on the First Coast provider website.
• Helpful search tips: Learn how to build queries and use the search tool.
• Feedback: This option allows you to send feedback directly to the First Coast provider website team.
