CMS Revises Reporting Requirements for Physicians, Nonphysician Practitioners, and Suppliers

Turner discusses the revision of the reporting requirements for physicians, nonphysician practitioners, and suppliers. In early January 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced revisions to the existing reporting requirements for physicians, nonphysician practitioners, and health care suppliers who are enrolled in the Medicare program. Although the January 2009 announcement did not change the existing requirement that practitioners or suppliers already enrolled in the Medicare program report changes in their enrollment information to their Medicare intermediary or carrier, this information does clarify that certain events are, in fact, reportable, gives deadlines by which time certain events must be reported, and clarifies the process by which practitioners should report these changes. CMS advises practitioners that reporting changes as soon as possible will help to ensure that claims are processed correctly because certain of the newly clarified reportable events may affect claims processing, a payment amount, or even a practitioner's eligibility to participate in the Medicare program.