CMS changes provider enrollment, ordering and referral documentation requirementsPublished: 2010-08-27 17:57:28Author: Editorial | Health Imaging | May 12, 2010The Centers for
Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released provisions of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring all providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers that qualify for a
National Provider Identifier (NPI) to include their NPI number on all enrollment applications and on
all claims submitted under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The
Federal Register notice--which includes a request for public
comment--also requires physicians and eligible professionals to order
and refer covered items and services for Medicare beneficiaries to be
enrolled in Medicare. The changes also call for medical providers
participating in the Medicare program to provide documentation on
referrals to programs at high risk of waste and abuse, to include
durable
medical equipment,
prosthetics,
orthotics and supplies,
home health services and other items or services specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Kathleen Sebelius.
According to CMS, the changes will consist of the following:
- Inclusion of NPIs on all Medicare enrollment applications and
claims--In addition to medical providers, this requirement also applies
to Medicaid providers when submitting Medicaid provider agreements.
Claims that are submitted by a provider without an NPI number of the
aforementioned provider will be rejected.
- Ordering or referring physician enrollment requirements--Referring physicians must be identified by
name and NPI number on claims submitted for services provided to
Medicare beneficiaries by the suppliers of laboratory, imaging, and
specialist services. The rule does exempt residents and interns.
However, an attending physician needs to be identified on the claim when
a service is ordered or referred. These requirements will become
effective on July 1.
Full story