CMS previously announced that, beginning January 3, 2011, if certain Part B billed items and services require an ordering/referring provider and the ordering/referring provider is not in the claim, is not of a profession that is permitted to order/refer, or does not have an enrollment record in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), the claim will not be paid. On November 26, 2010 they revised this with the following statement: The automated edits will not be turned on effective January 3, 2011. We are working diligently to resolve enrollment backlogs and other system issues and will provide ample advanced notice to the provider and beneficiary communities before we begin any automatic nonpayment actions.
For details visit – http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1011.pdf