Medicare News

PECOS

What is it and why should I care?

PECOS is the Internet-based "Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System" used to enroll providers in Medicare.  If you did not enroll in Medicare within the last five (5) years, you MUST re-enroll using the PECOS system.  If you are not enrolled in the PECOS system, you will be removed from the Medicare Provider system and your payments will soon stop!!  Deadline to enroll was changed to July 6, 2010!!  CMA prepared a wonderful document that steps you through the enrollment process. SCCMS will email you a copy; just call 479-7226 or email us.

NEW 6/30/10 - CMS decided : 1) NOT to reject any claims beginning July 6; 2) to take a more thoughtful approach as they fully consider all comments received in response to the IFR; and 3)to implement a contingency plan for those who are working towards enrollment by the deadline but are not yet enrolled. Read the full CMS press release.

Read all about it on the PalmettoGBA web site.  Another source for information is the CMS web site.  Be sure to check out all the PDF documentation at the bottom of the CMS' web page.

What use is the PECOS system to me?
You may use Internet-based PECOS to enroll in Medicare, make a change in your Medicare enrollment information, view your existing Medicare enrollment information, voluntarily withdraw from the Medicare program or check on the status of an Internet-submitted Medicare enrollment application. Without enrollment in PECOS you can not be paid.

Submitting an Enrollment Application using Internet-based PECOS
For physicians and non-physician practitioners, there are 3 basic steps to complet-ing an enrollment action using Internet-based PECOS. Physicians and non-physician practitioners must:

1.  Have an NPPES User ID and password (the User ID & password you selected when you first applied for your NPI) to use Internet-based PECOS. Please read the document entitled, "Medicare Physician and Non-Physician Practitioners - Protecting Your Privacy, Protecting Your Medicare Enrollment Record".

2.  Go to Internet-based PECOS login and complete, review, and submit the electronic enrollment application via Internet-based PECOS.

3. Print, sign and date the 2-page Certification Statement for each enrollment application submitted and mail the Certification Statement and all supporting paper documentation to the Medicare contractor (PalmettoGBA) within 7 days of electronic submission. IMPORTANT: A Medicare contractor will not process an Internet enrollment application without the signed and dated Certification Statement. In addition, the effective date of filing an enrollment application is the date the Medicare contractor receives the signed Certification Statement that is associated with the Internet submission.

For complete information go to the CMS web site. At the bottom of this CMS web page there are 7 PDF documents to help you through the enrollment process.

On the PalmettoGBA web site there is more explanation. Click on the left side link titled "J1 Part B MAC - CA, HI, NV". On the next page scroll down the column titled "Self Service Tools & Top Links" until you see "Provider Enrollment Applications" & then click. On the next page click the boxed X next to "General" to see a drop down menu. Near the bottom of the drop down menu are 2 entries dated 4/3/2009 about PECOS.

If you need to talk to a representative regarding provider enrollment, please call PalmettoGBA's toll free J1 Part B Provider Contact Center at (866) 931-3901 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday.

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