CMS To Provide National Provider Training

CMS To Provide National Provider Training

There are some medical billing provider changes on the horizon. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is trying to catch everyone up to speed on the new National provider identifier system. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services believes this provider training with alleviate some of the medical billing confusion once the change takes place.

On May 27, 2007, all medical providers and organizations will be required to have a national provider identifier for claims processing. This is for any covered entity recognized by HIPAA. This national provider identifier will replace the current provider number. It is important to note that although the medical billing number will be different, the health plan enrollment process with remain the same.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services switched software systems. This created many medical billing errors. With the national provider identifier change on the horizon, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services decided to be proactive. They do not want a large number of mistakes to occur, as has occurred with the new software system. They created a series of articles called Medlearn Matters. These are designed to educate providers on how to obtain and do medical billing with the national provider identifier as opposed to a provider number. The hope is that providers and medical billers will become experts on the new system before the transition even takes place.

It was recently brought to the Centers for Medicare & medicaid Service’s attention that therapy practices were not informed about these upcoming medical billing changes. To correct the problem, CMS granted them access to the new educational information. If they have overlooked anyone else, they would like that brought to their attention. Being proactive with the national provider identifier is the key to continued success in medical billing.

View all Articles by: Melissa C. - OMG, LLC. CEO