CMS enforcing new rules for Medicare Part-D prescribers – but gives more time

Physicians who prescribe Medicare Part-D drugs but do not participate in Medicare or have a valid record of opting out will face changes next year.

The good news is you'll have more time to accommodate the change.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this year finalized a new rule under the Part-D program. The rule requires physicians and other eligible professionals who write prescriptions for Part-D drugs to:

• Be enrolled in Medicare in an approved status, or
• Have a valid opt-out affidavit on file.

The final regulation made the changes effective June 1, 2015. But CMS has announced that the deadline is being pushed back to Dec. 1, 2015.

Physicians who aren’t currently enrolled in Medicare or do not have a valid opt-out affidavit on file should plan on submitting an enrollment application or opt-out affidavit to their Part-B Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 1. This will ensure that CMS has enough time to process the paperwork ahead of Dec. 1 and will avoid patients’ Part-D prescription drug claims being denied.

For more information, including how to enroll online, CMS has issued an article, "Provider Enrollment Requirements for Writing Prescriptions for Medicare Part D," through its MLN Matters information service.