CMS Delays PECOS Enrollment Requirement for Ordering Physicians
CMS has announced that it is not implementing at this time changes that would have automatically rejected certain Medicare claims based on orders, certifications, and referrals made by providers that have not had their PECOS enrollment applications approved by July 6, 2010. Nevertheless, the Affordable Care Act provides that only a Medicare enrolled physician or eligible professional may certify or order home health services, DMEPOS, and certain other Part B items and services effective July 1, 2010. Therefore while CMS is taking “a more deliberative approach to using the PECOS enrollment system,” the agency will employ a contingency plan to meet the ACA requirement that written orders and certifications are only issued by eligible professionals effective July 1. Background information on CMS’s interim final rule implementing the ACA’s enrollment requirements is available here.
