Search help

Introduction

The search tool utilized on the 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 icon in the upper-right corner of every page of the provider website.

Note: Your search will not return specific FAQ answers, only category pages; for FAQ search, it is recommended to search directly within FAQs. Also, the best method to search for LCDs is to utilize First Coast’s LCD lookup tool.

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 enter 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)
  • You are: Looking for information about the CMS-1500 form
  • Search criteria: Type 1500 form (instead of forms)
• Expand your search by linking keywords with “OR” -- matches to either search term will be returned
  • You are: 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
  • You are: 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 xxx -- this will help you find the article more quickly.

Step two: Executing your search

As you begin to type, search suggestions will present within the search box. Clicking on one of the suggested terms will take you directly to that specific content item. 

Should you wish to proceed with your keywords, once you have defined your search criteria, 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 three: 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
• Filter by type -- (article or PDF)
• Line of business filter – Lists all results or items related specifically to Part A or Part B
• Category filter – Lists all results or items posted in the last seven or 30 days
• Filter by date
• Popular search terms 

Previous searches: This area will display up to five of your most recent searches. If you would like to return to a previous search, just click the corresponding hyperlink.

Filter by type: The default search will return any relevant articles. Should you wish to search for a PDF document, please change the Filter by type to PDF. 

Line of business filter: By default, the site will search based on the line of business settings defined when you arrived at the site. For example, if you’re set to Part B, all Part B only and Part A/B content will return. Should you need to also view Part A only content, click the Part A check box to adjust the results. 

Category filter: To further narrow search results, select a category applicable to your related topic. 

Filter by date: Initially the search will return all content, regardless of posting date. Should you wish to narrow results to only include recent content, you may set the filter to the last 30 or 90 days.  

Popular searches: This area contains quick links to conduct a search on some of our most popular searched keywords.