Tips to Facilitate the Medicare Enrollment Process
To ensure that your Medicare enrollment application is processed timely, you should:
1. Consider using Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to enroll or make a change in your Medicare enrollment if it is available for your provider or supplier type.
2. Submit the current version of the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the Medicare enrollment application (i.e., CMS-855A, CMS-855I, CMS-855B, and CMS-855R) in February 2008. CMS revised the DMEPOS supplier enrollment application (i.e., CMS-855S) in March 2009.
3. Submit the correct application for your provider or supplier type to the Medicare fee-for-service contractor servicing your State or location.
The Medicare contractor that serves your State or practice location is responsible for processing your enrollment application. Applicants must submit their application(s) to the appropriate Medicare fee-for-service contractor. A list of the Medicare fee-for-service contractors by State can be found in the download section of www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll
.4. Submit a complete application. If you are enrolled in Medicare, but have not submitted the CMS-855 since November 2003, you are required to submit a complete application. Providers and suppliers should follow the instructions for completing an initial enrollment application.
5. Request and obtain your National Provider Identifier (NPI) number before enrolling or making a change in your Medicare enrollment information.
CMS requires that providers and suppliers obtain their National Provider Identifier (NPI) prior to
enrolling or updating their enrollment record with Medicare.
6. Submit the Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement (CMS-588) with your enrollment application, if applicable.
CMS requires that providers and suppliers, who are enrolling in the Medicare program or making achange in their enrollment data, receive payments via electronic funds transfer. Reminder: when completing the CMS-588 complete each section.
6.Submit all supporting documentation.
In addition to a complete application, each provider or supplier is required to submit all applicable supporting documentation at the time of filing. Supporting documentation includes, if applicable, an authorization agreement for Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement (CMS-588).
Note:Only durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers are required to submit the National Provider Identifier notification received from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System.
7. Sign and date the application.
Applications must be signed and datedby the appropriate individuals. Signatures must be original and in ink (blue preferable). Copied or stamped signatures will not be accepted.
8. Respond to fee-for-service contractor requests promptly and fully.
To facilitate your enrollment into the Medicare program, respond promptly andfully to any request for additional or clarifying information from the fee-for-service contractor.