WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2013—On March 5, the National Supplier Clearinghouse announced that it is extending the period of time DME providers will have to determine whether or not they want to change their participation status with the Medicare program.
According to the announcement, DME providers have until April 15, 2013 to change their enrollment status. Any change to a provider’s enrollment status is prospective only for new claims received on or after the effective date of the supplier's participation election. Therefore, there will be no retroactive claims reprocessing.
It is important to note that contract suppliers under the Medicare bidding program must elect to participate with the program and accept the single payment amounts as payment in full for those items that fall under the bidding program’s authority.
According to AAHomecare member and consultant Andrea Stark, “if a provider elects to be non-participating, they can choose to not accept assignment, file the claim and let the patient get reimbursed their 80 percent. Filing non-assigned is not an option available to participating providers.
Additionally, it should be noted that non-participating providers can still choose to accept assignment on other services for other patients on a case-by-case basis.” Suppliers requesting a change in participation status should mail their requests to:
National Supplier Clearinghouse
Post Office Box 100142
Columbia, SC 29202-3142