Timeframe Requirements for all Testing Entities

40.3.7 - Timeframe Requirements for all Testing Entities (Rev. 97, Issued: 01-15-16, Effective: 09-21-15, Implementation: 09-21-15) The SSMs, STC, and MAC shall operate under the testing timeframes shown below for each quarterly release: Timeframe Requirements for Testing Entities 1. The Medicare A/B, DME MAC or User testing period shall begin four weeks prior to production implementation. 2. The Beta testing period shall begin eight weeks prior to production implementation. The CWF and standard system Beta testers shall have an exclusive four-week testing timeframe prior to the initiation of user testing. • The Beta tester shall complete a functional System Test and Regression Test before the shared system is released to the User community. • Beta testing must also continue through the User testing period. The Beta tester may initiate performance testing during the user testing period. 3. Exclusive CWFM and SSM testing shall continue until Beta testing is initiated eight weeks prior to production implementation. The SSM and CWFM shall complete a Unit Test (on all components), Integration Test, System Test, and Regression Test prior to distributing the shared system release to the designated Beta tester. For all integration, system, and regression testing, the SSM shall use the most recent version of any third party or CMS provided software components (e.g., Pricer, OCE, MCE, Grouper) they are provided. The SSM shall continue testing beyond the exclusive maintainer-testing window due to the late receipt of some third party or CMS provided software components such as the Pricers and OCE.