CMS Announces Extension of 2010 Medicare Provider Enrollment Period

CMS has extended Medicare's 2010 provider participation enrollment end date to Jan. 31, 2010. This gives physicians currently participating in Medicare or considering participation in 2010 one month beyond the normal Dec. 31 cutoff to make a participation decision.

CMS made the announcement in a recent issue of MLN Matters (2-page PDF; About PDFs) and attributed the change to recent revisions in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Medicare contractors will accept and process physicians' participation elections or withdrawals that are received or post-marked on or before Jan. 31, 2010. Provider status changes made during the extension period are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010, and remain in effect throughout 2010.