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Murphy speaks up for Medicare claims employees
Jun 12, 07:50 PM
Meriden Record-Journal
By Mary Ellen Godin
Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy, D-5th District, is asking National Government Services to keep some of First Coast Service Options’ experienced Medicare claims employees in their jobs.
National Government Services, a private company, recently won a government contract to administer Part A/B Medicare claims for Connecticut and New York. The Part B claims have been processed at First Coast Service Options, on Research Parkway. But the loss of the contract will mean closing the office and putting its 86 employees out of work.
“The Meriden employees have a tremendous history with Medicare claims,” Murphy said. “It’s our hope the new contractor will keep some of them.”
Murphy’s Connecticut office first learned of the closing from employees who weren’t sure if National Government Services would merge the office or close it. Murphy sent a letter to the company’s congressional liaison, but hasn’t spoken to anyone directly.
Murphy them learned that First Coast Service Options would be closing the office Aug. 1. First Coast Service Options is now transitioning services between the two companies and has urged the new company to keep some, if not all, of the employees.
Murphy learned that National Government Services was handling some of the work from its Middletown office, and he urged the company to transfer some of the Meriden employees there. “First Coast employs approximately 100 people, some of whom have worked on the Medicare Part B program for more than 25 years,” Murphy wrote. “Consequently, the closing of the office portends not only significant job reductions in the Meriden area, but also the loss of valuable experience.”
Representatives of National Government Services were not available for comment Wednesday.
Eight years ago, then-U.S. Rep. James Maloney helped convince First Coast Service Options to stay in the city. But Murphy said there are differences in the contracts, which make this situation more complicated.
National Government Services won the five-year contract partly because it was going to consolidate services within its existing operation. But eight years ago, First Coast Service Options was taking over an existing contract.
“It’s a different set of responsibilities,” Murphy said.
