March 31, 2020
 
Question:

Jennifer, 

Can you please post on the Medicare temporary privileges.  We need to know. 

Thank you, 
Dr. H

Answer:

Absolutely.  

CMS is waiving (i) Background checks associated with fingerprint=based criminal background checks; and (ii) Site visits, and granting temporary privileges to physician and non-physician practitioners eligible to enroll in Medicare. See https://www.cms.gov/files/document/provider-enrollment-relief-faqs-covid-19.pdf

Providers and suppliers should only contact the hotline for the MAC that services their geographic area. To locate your designated MAC refer to https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/MedicareContracting/Medicare-Administrative-Contractors/Downloads/MACs-by-State-June-2019.pdf.

6. What information should I have available to enroll as a physician or non-physician practitioner when I call the provider enrollment hotline?

To initiate temporary billing privileges, you will be asked to provide limited information, including, but not limited to, Legal Name, National Provider Identifier (NPI), Social Security Number, a valid instate or out-of-state license, address information and contact information (telephone number).

7. How long will it take the MAC to approve a physician or non-physician practitioner’s temporary Medicare billing privileges?
The MAC will attempt to screen and enroll the physician or non-physician practitioner over the phone and will notify the physician or non-physician practitioner of their approval or rejection of temporary Medicare billing privileges during the phone conversation. The MAC will follow up with a letter via email to communicate the approval or rejection of the physician or non-physician practitioner’s temporary Medicare billing privileges. Note: Physicians and non-physician practitioners who do not pass the screening requirements will not be granted temporary Medicare billing privileges and cannot be paid for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.

8. What will be the effective date of my temporary Medicare billing privileges?
Physicians and non-physician practitioners will be assigned an effective date as early as March 1, 2020. They may bill for services furnished on or after the effective date and until the public health emergency is lifted

10. Will my temporary Medicare billing privileges as a physician or non-physician practitioner be deactivated once the national emergency is lifted?
Your Medicare billing privileges are being granted on a provisional basis as a result of the public health emergency declaration and are temporary. Upon the lifting of the public health emergency declaration, you will be asked to submit a complete CMS-855 enrollment application in order to establish full Medicare billing privileges, following the MAC’s review of your application. Failure to respond to the MAC’s request within 30 days of the notification, will result in the deactivation of your temporary billing privileges. No payments can be received for services provided after the deactivation of your temporary billing privileges.
 

CARES Act Payroll Stimulus - The Short and Sweet Version - March 29, 2020  (https://youtu.be/nPx8yuq5ptQ) 
Webinar Details 
Date recorded:  March 29, 2020
Details: Join Jennifer for an overview of the CARES Act Federal Payroll Stimulus condensed overview and STATUS OF LOANS.  Also we will discuss the nuances of Forgiveness.
CONTACT JENNIFER & TEAM:  Jennifer can be reached at Jennifer@Kirschenbaumesq.com, or contact Amy at ALaveglia@Kirschenbaumesq.com, Stacy at Sspector@Kirschenbaumesq.comor Kathleen at KLampert@Kirschenbaumesq.com to schedule a call with a CARES Team Member. 

 
 

COVID-19 Resources 
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Available K&K Webinars on COVID-19 Related Legal Issues 
  • Ophthalmology Specific - Essential Services, State v. Federal PTO, Preview of CARES Act (Forgivable Loan Program, etc), Terminating Employees and Panel discussion - https://youtu.be/Bda9qvddlaE 
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