Health Information Compliance Alert

PECOS:

Medicare Enrollment Via PECOS Gets A Little Easier

Ever since CMS began asking providers to complete Medicare enrollments using the online PECOS system, they've been asking if they can electronically sign their applications to expedite approval. That answer was always no -- until now.

PECOS "now allows providers and suppliers to sign Medicare enrollment applications electronically," CMS has announced. That goes for individual practitioners and authorized or delegated officials for organizations. Providers that don't want to use the e-signature process can opt to use the existing process, which requires you to print and sign the certification statement and mail it to your MAC.

Resources: For more on the new e-signature option, visit https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov. PECOS e-signature frequently asked questions from CMS's External User Services contractor are at www.eushelpdesk.com/PECOS/esignature_FAQs.html.

PECOS Surrogate Program To Go Live This Spring

Looking forward to the day when you can sign into PECOS on your physician's behalf using your own login information to update information? That day may be coming sooner than you think.

The PECOS surrogate program is on the horizon, CMS reps confirmed last week. "We are actively working on it," said CMS's Zabeen Chong during CMS's March 6 open door forum. "Currently we have a tentative go-live date of May, so as we have more information we will be passing that along," she said.

Docs' Full NPIs To Appear In PECOS Reports

You may now find it a bit easier to figure out if your referring physicians are enrolled in PECOS. CMS has revised its ordering/referring physician lists to include docs' full National Provider Identifier numbers, the agency says. The format will change for its three lists: Ordering/Referring Report, Initial Physician Applications Pending Contractor Review, and Initial Non Physician Applications Pending Contractor Review.

CMS has yet to set a date for PECOS edits to take effect. The edits, which were originally scheduled for implementation last year, will return claims that do not include an ordering/referring physician listed in Medicare's PECOS system.