For months, the deadline to get your providers up-to-date in CMS's enrollment database has been Jan. 3, 2011. Providers not in the Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) by that date will theoretically see their claims reject automatically until they get in. The real rub was that even providers who are up to date will see automatic claims rejections on claims involving orders or referrals from other provider who are not in PECOS.
However, CMS said more recently that enforcement -- i.e., automatic claims rejections -- will not begin on Jan. 3, 2011. The agency hasn't decided when to start enforcement.
That changes now, with a transmittal released Dec. 16, CMS has made its decision. The hammer comes down JULY 5, 2011.
But don't bet a thousand dollars on that date just yet. The agency refers to this July 5 date as a "placeholder" and could still change it between now and then.
TIP: One of the best and longest-running Medicare enrollment conferences in the nation happens to be our very own National Medicare Provider Enrollment Workshop. Attend this and you will have nothing to fear when July 5, 2011, or whatever the final date winds up being, hits. Check out the temporary conference page now. This event will be held May 4-6, 2011, at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.