CMS Makes Internet-Based Medicare Enrollment Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) is available in the District of Columbia and 15 states.
CMS reports that PECOS will allow physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll, make a change in their Medicare enrollment, view their Medicare enrollment information on file with Medicare, and check on the status of a Medicare enrollment application via the Internet. PECOS is currently available to physicians and non-physician practitioners in the District of Columbia and the following 15 states:
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
CMS reports that it will expand the availability of PECOS for physicians and non-physician practitioners to all states over the next 2 months. CMS also intends to make PECOS available next year to all providers and suppliers (except suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies). Physicians and non-physician practitioners may access PECOS here.
For additional information on PECOS, visit the Internet-Based PECOS page of the CMS website. For commentary on PECOS, visit the The HIT Transition Weblog's post entitled "Online Medicare Enrollment Via NPPES Signon."
Medicare beneficiaries should be aware (if not angry) that getting advice on Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans will be much tougher in 2009.
Just 4 days prior to the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated a cut in compensation to independent advisors educated and certified to assist Medicare beneficiaries in their enrollment. In PA NJ or DE try this organization for qualified independent advice: http://www.mysenioradvisorsgroup.com/
In this stroke of genius socialist policy making CMS has forced independent advisors out of the business. Having deployed resources many professionals were already committed to what was transformed into a losing proposition. Many qualified advisors had no other choice but to remain involved for the 2008 Annual Enrollment Period. However, come 2009 many of the better qualified, experienced agents will focus efforts where they are fairly compensated. In addition, this ruling did not apply to the biased insurance company employees – (Can you say “political contributions”) - they will be compensated (including overhead, marketing etc) at about 10x the amount of independent advisors. So beware; the less objective insurance company salesmen will gladly enroll you in the company policy -- but don’t expect them to tell you if someone else has a better choice. How’s that for looking out for the senior population?
Medicare beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to contact their representative and tell them that advice on Medicare Advantage and Medicare Rx plans is extremely important! That in a capitalist society compensation should not be regulated, however oversight is appropriate and bad apples should be barred from the insurance industry. The Nov 11th ruling will (and has) force qualified independent advisors out of the business and leave fewer, less qualified agents in 2009. Good Luck!
Contact your local representative and/or Representatives: Stark, Grassley, Baucus, Hatch, and Rockefeller. For additional comments and contact information on the topic see....
http://medicareadvantageplan.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Concerned about Medicare Advantage Future | December 18, 2008 at 08:01 PM