CMS Releases NPI Files for Referring Physicians
As previously reported, CMS is requiring Medicare physicians and non-physician practitioners who refer Medicare beneficiaries to other Medicare providers or suppliers to update their enrollment records in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). As of April 5, 2010, new claims edit processes could lead to rejected claims for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) and other Part B items if the ordering physician has not updated his/her enrollment records. To enable providers and suppliers to ensure that a referring physician is enrolled in PECOS, CMS has posted a file containing the National Provider Identifier (NPI) and the name of all physicians and non-physician practitioners who are eligible to order and refer in the Medicare program and who have current Medicare enrollment records. The file will be updated periodically. Background information on the PECOS enrollment requirement is available here.
