Wholesale: Products & Services

Archived System CR SCR090402-01IG Detail

On August 10, 1999 OBF issue 2002 - Standard Dispute Template- was opened and stated: Several providers have started sending out Dispute Templates to be followed by customers when they send disputes to the provider. In an effort to eliminate multiple dispute formats a Standard Dispute Format should be created for use by all providers and customers.

The issue was closed on November 11, 2000 with the following resolution: The Dispute File Specifications document has been created which establishes the record layout and requirements associated with the process to be followed for disputes other than PICC disputes. This document will be owned and maintained by the OBF Billing Committee and available on the ATIS Web Site.

It is expected that all customers and providers will follow the guidelines in the Dispute File Specifications document when filing and receiving disputes.

Then it was determined at the OBF billing committee that the template format created could be more user friendly and may need some additonal fields added. So, 2 additional OBF issues were opened to address these concerns. OBF issue 2307 and 2348 were opened. These issues addressed template additions and further definition on fields required for investigation on dipsutes submitted. As of August 21, 2002 (OBF 79) these issues are in Initial Closure.

Status History

Project Meetings

SCR090402-01IG Implement new Industry Dispute form (originated by Qwest) Michael Buck/Qwest stated that process document calls for Industry Guidelines to be brought though the systems meeting. That applies even in the case where we know that it is a product/process request. Michael noted that a notice was sent and that as a result, Eschelon did submit a question; it was not an objection. There were no objections received to proceed with this request as an Industry Guideline CR. Michael Buck/Qwest-so after we finish discussing it, the appropriate thing will be to cross it over and continue talking about it in the Product/Process CMP Meetings going forward. Sue Kriebel/Qwest presented the CR and provided background and issue being discussed at OBF. The issue for enhancing the template was reviewed and put in initial closure in the August OBF. Will look to the November OBF for it to go into final closure. Sue stated that at OBF, the billing customer’s stated that as they file disputes, each provider had a different form. A lot of CLECs stated that it was difficult to manage. Issue 2002 was opened, for a template. The issue was resolved and documented. It was a Word document, an EXCEL document, and a comma delimited file. This worked for several companies but it was not user friendly. Issues 2307 and 2308 were for additional information, as applicable, and to make the format friendlier. The Word, EXCEL, and comma delimited file documentation was updated with the OBF issues. Qwest would like to implement the guideline form so Qwest can be provided the information needed for research and resolution of disputes. Sue asked if there were any questions. Carla Pardee/AT&T asked if the web site provides the location as to where to send the forms. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that the ATIS web site has the form that can be downloaded. That download can be used with the existing communication process. Carla Pardee/AT&T asked if the OBF had a guideline as to when disputes are to be done. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that no, those are policy issues and advised of the AT&T contact name. Bill Markert/Eschelon stated that Eschelon receives 80% of their bills via BillMate files. Eschelon sends disputes using the EXCEL spreadsheet. Is concerned about filling out 79 fields when giving Qwest all the information that Qwest needs. Bill stated that Eschelon currently provides Qwest with all the information that Qwest needs. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that she agreed with Bill (Eschelon) and that Qwest will still accept the spreadsheet that Eschelon is sending today (provided all information needed for a dispute is present). Qwest would like the face page information such as the bill date, dollar amount, total, etc. Sue stated that this is not a guideline that Qwest is imposing, Qwest is responding to the request for 1 format. Bill Markert/Eschelon stated that Eschelon already provides the BAN and information so why the need to fill out another page. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that you will not be providing all 79 fields, if you are currently providing all the necessary information. Sue reiterated that Qwest is not imposing this. The guideline is for the information that is needed be provided for the dispute. Sue stated that as long as Qwest is given what is needed, Qwest will not make you fill out another piece of paper. Qwest is responding to a request for 1 format. This is not a forced thing. Bill Markert/Eschelon asked for confirmation that this is optional and that disputes would not be denied. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that that was a true statement. Bonnie Johnson/Eschelon thanked Qwest for the clarification and stated that Eschelon’s questions were based on the understanding that this was going to be mandated. Sue Kriebel/Qwest stated that no, it’s not forced. Michael Buck/Qwest asked if there were any other questions on the CR or the process? There were no other questions or comments brought forward. Michael Buck/Qwest stated that the CR status would be updated to Presented and that the CR will be crossed over to product/process.

APPENDIX B PAPER DISPUTE TEMPLATE (draft until final closure at OBF) Billing Company Contact Information Section: 1. Billing Company Name: 2. Billing Contact Name: 3. Billing Contact Address: 4. Billing Contact Phone: 5. Billing Contact Fax #: 6. Billing Contact Email: Disputing Company Contact Information Section: 7. Disputing Company Name: 8. Disputing Contact Name: 9. Disputing Contact Address: 10. Disputing Contact Phone: 11. Disputing Contact Fax #: 12. Disputing Contact Email: General Dispute Section: 13. Date of Claim: (yyyy-mm-dd): 14. Status: 15. Claim/Audit Number: 16. Service Type:

17. ACNA: 18. OCN: 19. CIC: 20. BAN: 21. Invoice Number(s): 22. Bill Date: 23. Billed Amount: $24. Dispute Reason Code: 25. Dispute Desc: 26. Disputed Amount: $ 27. Disputed Amount Withheld: $ 28. Disputed Amount Paid: $ 29. Dispute Bill Date From: Dispute Bill Date Thru: Dispute Information Section: 30. Rate Element/USOC: 31. Rate: Billed Correct Factor Information: 32. PIU: Billed Correct 33. PLU: Billed Correct 34. BIP: Billed Correct 35. Other Factors: Billed Correct 36: Jurisdiction 0Non Jurisdictional 0Inter/Interstate 0Intra/Interstate 0Intra/Intrastate 0Inter/Intrastate 0 Local37. Mileage: Billed Correct 38. Contract Name/#: 39. Business/Residence Indicator: 40: State: 41: LATA:

Facilities/Dedicated Circuit Dispute Information Section: 42. PON: 43 SON: 44. EC Circuit ID: 45 Circuit Location: 46. IC Circuit ID: 47. CFA : 48. TN/All: 49. Point Code: 50. USOC Quantity: 51. Two-Six Code:

52. Facilities From Date: Thru Date:

Usage Dispute Information Section:

53. End Office CLLI: 54. TN/All: 55. Usage Billed Units/Quantity: 56. Usage Billed Units/Quantity Disputed: 57. Directionality: 0 N/A 0 Orig. 0 Term. 0 Combination 58. Query: 59. Query Type: 60. OC&C SON: 61 OC&C PON: 62. Usage From Date: Thru Date: Information Section:

63. Tax Dispute Amount: 64. Tax exemption form attached : 0 65. Invoice(s) LPC billed: 66. LPC paid, date of payment:

OTHER 67. Other remarks

Resolution Information Section: 68. Resolution Date:

69. Resolution Amount: $ 70. Resolution Reason: 71. Adjustment Bill Date: 72. Adjustment Invoice Number: 73. Adjustment Phrase Code(s): 74. Adjustment BAN/ 75. Adjustment SON: 76. Disputed Amount: $ 77. Amount Credited: $ 78. Bill Section Adjustment will appear on: OC&C Adjustment 79. Resolution remarks:

Bill Dispute Form - Overview Draft until final closure at OBF

Date of Claim:Claim/Audit Number: Billing Account Number:Service Type: ACNA:OCN: CIC:Status:

Billing Company Contact Information Section

Billing Company Name: Billing Contact Address: Billing Contact Name: Billing Contact Phone # :Billing Contact Fax # : Billing Contact Email:

Disputing Company Contact Information Section

Disputing Company Name: Disputing Contact Address: Disputing Contact Name: Disputing Contact PhoneDisputing Contact Fax # : Disputing Contact Email:

Disputed Amount Section

Summary Disputed Amount: Summary Disputed Amount Withheld: Summary Disputed Amount Paid: Dispute Bill Date From: Dispute Bill Date Thru:

Other Section

Other Remarks:

Information Section

Tax Dispute Amount: Tax Exemption Form Attached: Invoice(s) LPC Billed: LPC Paid, date of payment:

Resolution Information Section

Resolution Date: Summary Resolution Amount: Resolution Reason: Adjustment Bill Date: Adjustment Invoice Number: Adjustment Phrase Code: Adjustment Bill Account Number: Adjustment Service Order Number: Amount Credited: Bill Section Adjustment Will Appear On: Resolution Remarks:

CenturyLink Response

10/10/02

RE: SCR090402-01IG (Implement new Industry Dispute form)

Qwest initiated a Change Request using the Change Management Process (CMP) for Industry Guideline Change Requests.

The Change Request Originator has indicated that the Ordering and Billing Forum (OBF), has provided guidelelines in an effort to eliminate multiple dispute formats. According to OBF, the Dispute File Specifications document has been created which establishes the record layout and requirements associated with the process to be followed for disputes other than PICC disputes. This document will be owned and maintained by the OBF Billing Committee and available on the ATIS Web Site .

In accordance with Section 5.1.1 of the Qwest Wholesale Change Management Process Document, http://www.qwest.com/wholesale/cmp/whatiscmp.html, Qwest has posted this Industry Guideline CR to the interactive reports on the Qwest Wholesale CMP web site. This CR will be addressed at the October 17, 2002 Monthly CMP Systems Meeting and identified in the meeting distribution packet.

This Industry Guideline change request will be implemented as a Product/Process change and will follow the Crossover process as documented in Section 5.7 in the Change Management Process Document.

Sincerely,

Qwest