CMS Pub. 100-09, ch. 6, § 20.3.1

Medicare Learning Network® (MLN), MLN Connects® and MLN Matters® are registered

trademarks of HHS and represent official brand names for provider educational products,

outreach activities, and information resources. CMS designed these materials to promote national

consistency in Medicare provider information. MLN products encompass a comprehensive

range of educational materials including:

• Publications such as fact sheets, educational tools, and booklets

• MLN Matters Articles that explain policy changes and updates

• MLN Connects newsletter that provides regular updates and announcements

• Web-based training modules for convenient online learning

• Multimedia resources that accommodate different learning preferences

MACs shall use these MLN products and content to deliver planned and coordinated provider

education programs that accommodate health care professionals’ busy schedules with minimal

disruption to their normal business operations. T hi s r e q ui r e m e nt ap pl i e s t o al l

e d u c a ti o n a l to p ic s a n d e x te n d s s p e c ific a lly to specialty provider groups

including new Medicare providers who may have limited resources for staying current with

Medicare requirements. While MACs must build their educational foundation on MLN

products and other CMS materials, they shall supplement these resources with specific

information unique to their jurisdictions.

MACs shall include or link to relevant MLN products in all their educational materials and

communications. This ensures providers have immediate access to the most current authoritative

information available. Additionally, MACs must train their CSRs at least once per contract year

on three critical areas:

• Navigating and using the MLN webpage effectively

• Accessing and using MLN products or content to answer provider questions accurately

• Understanding the MLN Connects newsletter format and content to help providers stay

information about important updates and changes.

If MACs plan to translate any CMS national educational materials into another language, they

shall notify CMS by emailing the provider services mailbox with the subject line “MAC name –

Language Translation.” This notification is for awareness only and does not require CMS

clearance or approval.

When MACs identify gaps in available information about specific topics through their data

analysis or provider feedback, they shall proactively suggest new topics by emailing the MLN

mailbox. This creates a valuable feedback loop that helps CMS identify emerging educational

needs and develop new resources that address real-world provider challenges. MACs should

document the rationale for their suggestions, including data supporting the need for additional

educational materials, to help CMS prioritize development of new MLN products that will benefit

providers nationwide.