COLUMBIA, S.C.--Palmetto GBA will continue as Medicare's National Supplier Clearinghouse after CMS awarded the company another one-year contract--with four one-year options that, if exercised, would put the contract's value at $76 million.
Palmetto has held the NSC contract since 1993. Responsibilities include issuing and recommending revocations of Medicare billing privileges for suppliers "to ensure that only accredited, qualified suppliers are enrolled in the Medicare program," according to a press release. The NSC also is required to establish and maintain programs to prevent and detect fraud.
"We are extremely proud to continue the important work of the NSC," said Bruce Hughes, Palmetto president. "CMS has demonstrated its confidence that Palmetto GBA will carry out the responsibilities as efficiently as possible while providing quality service to medical equipment suppliers and the Medicare program.
"Our NSC employees work every day to make sure Medicare beneficiaries can obtain the medical equipment and supplies they need from suppliers that meet Medicare standards. We look forward to performing these duties for years to come."
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., as an ndependent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Palmetto GBA also has offices in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois. Its principal business is providing administrative services for the Medicare program.