Which statement is not a responsibility for the Debt Collection Assistance Officer (DCAO)?

• A. Notify, by telephone or in writing, provider(s) and collection or credit reporting agency that the beneficiary's case is being reviewed by the MCSC
• B. Assign a case number and forward beneficiary documentation to the MCSC's Priority Collections Unit in the region service was rendered
• C. Collect copies of all pertinent documentation available from the beneficiary concerning the case; such as provider bills and notices, TRICARE EOBs, letters from providers or credit agencies
• D. Work with functional experts to provide enrollment, benefit, and claims processing assistance

Answer: (D)

In debt collection workflows, the DCAO focuses on coordinating collection actions and maintaining case documentation with the MCSC and providers. Notifying providers and the collection or credit reporting agency that a beneficiary’s case is under review is a typical step to keep all parties informed and to prevent miscommunication during the review process. Assigning a case number and forwarding beneficiary documentation to the MCSC’s Priority Collections Unit helps organize the case and escalate it properly to higher-priority collection efforts. Collecting copies of all pertinent documentation from the beneficiary—bills, notices, TRICARE EOBs, and letters from providers or credit agencies—ensures the DCAO has the complete evidence and context needed to support the collection actions. However, working with functional experts to provide enrollment, benefit, and claims processing assistance is outside the DCAO’s usual remit; those tasks pertain to enrollment, benefits, and claims processing roles rather than debt collection activities.