**NEWS FLASH** Found at least one gov’t contract with an extension notice of Jan 3, 2011 posted!
What is PECOS? Basically, this is an online 855 application process which is also linked to NPPES (NPI database). The official name is Medicare Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System.
Where did the info in PECOS come from? They uploaded (in some fashion) from the fiscal intermediary that processes your 855 paper enroll applications.
Why do I need to bother if they have the information from 855? The information in many circumstances is inaccurate and it can stop your cash flow reimbursement. My guess is, as with any software or data conversion, exceptions to eliminate terminated data were not built in sufficiently. So, with that said, it is very possible information is incorrect which can result in revoked provider number. For example I recently worked on a provider’s PECOS records that showed locations that have been closed for several months. If the Medicare contractors visit locations or call a phone number that is no longer valid including an invalid area code, they can suspend or revoke the provider number.
You must register in PECOS. This means you must obtain a username and password in PECOS to review and validate all your information. Before you begin view and print (save to complete) the 855 they show. You may need copies of your previously submitted 855’s. If you did not keep a copy, do so for all applications in the future. You can save the information and go back to finish if need be. Do not click “begin submission” until you are 100% certain you are finished. Any changes will require a “submission” then you must print out the certification documents for signature to submit hard copy to the address that prints on confirmations.
Do not let incorrect information or failure to register in PECOS stop your PESOS (Cash Flow). Register deadline for PECOS by UPDATED**7/6/2010 or 1/1/2011 (depending on what article you read) will stop your Medicare payments also. ADDED**This is the latest note I found on CMS’ website “July 6: Please read the news release found at the following location http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=3774 , the January 2011 deadline was superseded by a statutorily established deadline in the Affordable care act. As soon as a firm enforcement date of the regulations has been determined we will announce it.”
This is not going away. It will take 1-1.5 hours to gather corporate and provider documents. It will take about 2 hours per provider record to review documents, data, make corrections, make necessary copies of documents, sign and mail.
I have provided a list of numerous documents that you should have available for this as well as site visits. I recommend maintaining all the important records in a three ring binder to be handy for site inspectors.
If you need help getting this done, we can help with this project. We will register you, save all log in data for you, save the existing PECOS record, make necessary updates based on the documents provided, save revised document, print all certification forms to PDF. All documents will be password protected and returned to you by email for $289.00 per provider number. We can overnight the certification pages and a CD with all documents back to you for an extra $30.00 for all provider records being returned. Please contact us so that we may sign a confidentiality contract.
PECOS CHECKLIST
- Sale purchase agreement, if applicable
- Asset acquisitions require a new provider number
- Also note, Home Health Agencies with a provider number less than 36 months old will require a new provider number also
- Were the state and local agencies informed of the acquisition?
- State Licensure such as pharmacy license, DME/HME License, typically health care business line specific, if applicable
- Local- state licenses such as occupancy or business licenses
- Copy accredit certificate (DME, HHA,
- IRS 147C letter
- NPI letter/email
- Any Adverse Action
- Director of Nursing/Administrator license
- Medical MalPractice Insurance Certificate
- Liability Insurance Certificate must have correct location address on it for minimum $300K
- HHA: Documentation to demonstrate capitalization requirements
- Board of Directors, Owners with 5% or more, Manager (w-2), clinical provider Information:
- Full Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- In some states, like FL &CA, finger print cards are required for the mentioned
- If owned by another company or venture capital company:
- Need the company(ies) TID#
- Corporate Business Address
- If complex ownership, please provide an organizational chart of ownership even if handwritten.
Angela Miller of Medical Auditing Solutions LLC has been in health care compliance, auditing, billing, collections and HIPAA for over 18 years. Ms. Miller has made it the focus of the business to help providers run their businesses efficiently, collect money, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations and coverage criteria through compliance program development, management and training. Ms. Miller is very experienced with Medicare & Payer audits. Ms. Miller ran a very successful compliance program for over 5 years for the largest private held HME/Pharmacy provider in the US at the time. Ms. Miller also works as a contract compliance officer to provide an avenue to compliance training to staff, implementation of policies, as well as handling anything that affects cash flow from the initial intake to back-end collections. You can visit our website at Medical Auditing Solutions LLC.