While preparing for a presentation in February, I was researching a web tool suppliers can use to check Medicare revalidation due dates. To understand the user experience directly, I performed an actual query for one of our data services clients. I was quite surprised to see that their revalidation was due in two days! Just to be sure everything was on track, I confirmed my client’s application status using the NSC application status tool.
The NSC returned nothing.
I immediately picked up the phone and called my client about the looming revalidation.
“Holy H***! We had no idea.”
Thankfully, he had 48 hours to process the necessary paperwork to keep the account active.
Because of the scare, I proceeded to check other clients’ accounts and a sick feeling came over me as client after client had pressing, and in some cases, already past, revalidation due dates.
A few of my clients were aware of the revalidation and had already submitted paperwork to the NSC. One or two had recently completed on-site inspections. But the vast majority were caught by surprise because they missed the written notifications from the NSC.
Why This Matters
If suppliers fail to respond to revalidation requests and the application due date lapses, the NSC deactivates Medicare billing privileges and discontinues payments until the revalidation process is completed. Deactivated providers are typically shut out for at least 45-60 days. Ouch!
What Suppliers Can Do to Avoid Deactivation
Suppliers should anticipate revalidations every three years. Make a quick check part of a quarterly or semi-annual routine.
When the CMS website has a future due date, suppliers can submit a revalidation application up to seven months before the documented due date. If a due date has recently passed, and your billing privileges are still intact, get the application on file ASAP. The NSC will not revoke active billing privileges if the supplier completes the revalidation process prior to revocation.
Submitting the Revalidation Application
Complete the following steps before the revalidation due date:
My clients were fortunate. Everyone I spoke with was able to submit applications before the NSC terminated billing privileges. I hope as a result of this article you can avoid the panic altogether.
SOURCE LINKS
https://data.cms.gov/revalidation
The NSC returned nothing.
I immediately picked up the phone and called my client about the looming revalidation.
“Holy H***! We had no idea.”
Thankfully, he had 48 hours to process the necessary paperwork to keep the account active.
Because of the scare, I proceeded to check other clients’ accounts and a sick feeling came over me as client after client had pressing, and in some cases, already past, revalidation due dates.
A few of my clients were aware of the revalidation and had already submitted paperwork to the NSC. One or two had recently completed on-site inspections. But the vast majority were caught by surprise because they missed the written notifications from the NSC.
Why This Matters
If suppliers fail to respond to revalidation requests and the application due date lapses, the NSC deactivates Medicare billing privileges and discontinues payments until the revalidation process is completed. Deactivated providers are typically shut out for at least 45-60 days. Ouch!
What Suppliers Can Do to Avoid Deactivation
Suppliers should anticipate revalidations every three years. Make a quick check part of a quarterly or semi-annual routine.
When the CMS website has a future due date, suppliers can submit a revalidation application up to seven months before the documented due date. If a due date has recently passed, and your billing privileges are still intact, get the application on file ASAP. The NSC will not revoke active billing privileges if the supplier completes the revalidation process prior to revocation.
Submitting the Revalidation Application
Complete the following steps before the revalidation due date:
- Check to see if your revalidation is due by using the CMS tool.
- Pay the $586 fee here.
- Complete the online 855-S revalidation application through PECOS.
- Confirm the NSC is processing your (revalidation) application here.
- Disclosure: The NSC status tool is not always accurate and does not update immediately.
- When in doubt, call the NSC with questions at 866-238-9652.
- Call the NSC after 45 days, and then every two weeks thereafter, to ensure the NSC does not need more information to complete the revalidation. Failure to respond to NSC development requests in 30 days will result in supplier number revocation and will require a whole new application which will take up to 60 days to process.
My clients were fortunate. Everyone I spoke with was able to submit applications before the NSC terminated billing privileges. I hope as a result of this article you can avoid the panic altogether.
SOURCE LINKS
https://data.cms.gov/revalidation
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