Beginning April 1, 2019, the new CMS Preclusion List will go into effect subsequently barring many healthcare professionals from receiving payment for Medicare Advantage (MA) items and services or Part D drugs furnished or prescribed to Medicare beneficiaries. But what is the Preclusion List? Who is on it? Why was created? Don’t worry, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about this new CMS action and how it can affect your organization.
I. What is the CMS Preclusion List?
The Preclusion List is a list generated by CMS that contains the names of prescribers, individuals, and or entities that are unable to receive payment for Medicare Advantage (MA) items and service and or Part D drugs prescribed or provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
II. How Does Someone End up on The CMS Preclusion List?
CMS has given two ways for which someone can end up on the Preclusion List. The first one way is if you:
“Are currently revoked from Medicare, are under an active re-enrollment bar, and CMS has determined that the underlying conduct that led to the revocation is detrimental to the best interests of the Medicare program”
However, even if you are not revoked from Medicare, you still may find yourself on the Preclusion List. CMS is also precluding anyone who has:
“… Engaged in behavior for which CMS could have revoked the prescriber, individual or entity to the extent applicable if they had been enrolled in Medicare, and CMS determines that the underlying conduct that would have led to the revocation is detrimental to the best interests of the Medicare program. Such conduct includes, but are not limited to, felony convictions AND Office of Inspector General (OIG) exclusions.”
III. Why was the Preclusion List Created?
In April of 2018, within the Federal Register Rules and Regulations update, the Department of Health and Human Services released information on policy changes to Medicare programs. In which, they discussed the Preclusion List and their reasoning for establishing the new rule. It seems that CMS has given a few reasons for putting this new rule into effect:
“To focus on preventing payment for Part D drugs prescribed by demonstrably problematic prescribers”
“Reduce the burden on Part D prescribers and Medicare Advantage providers without compromising our program integrity efforts.” And to
“To replace the Medicare Advantage (MA) and prescriber enrollment requirements.”
By doing this, CMS believes that it will save $34.4 million dollars in 2019. These savings would be derived from the removal of the requirements for Part D prescribers and Medicare Advantage providers and suppliers to enroll in Medicare prior to providing health care services and items.
IV. How do I Know if I am Precluded?
Unlike the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) monthly exclusion list, the Preclusion list will not be shared publicly. Precluded providers however will receive notice in a variety of ways. First, CMS will issue an initial email notification to the precluded providers using their email addressed which they provided to either the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), the National Provider Plan and Enumeration System (NPPES), or from the Medicare enrollment system of record. The Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) will also follow up by sending a written notice through the mail to the precluded provider before they are added to the Preclusion List. Within this letter you will also be informed on why exactly you are precluded, the date that your preclusion will go into effect, and your applicable appeal rights.
V. Are Dentists at Risk of Being Precluded?
YES. If a dentist has been revoked from Medicare, is under an active re-enrollment bar, and CMS has found that the actions that led to their original revocation is a risk to the integrity of the Medicare program or has engaged in behavior for which CMS could have excluded them from participating in Medicare if they had enrolled.
VI. When will the CMS Preclusion List go into Effect?
The first list of providers that were to be precluded were published and were sent notice on January 1, 2019. However, beginning April 1, 2019 Part D sponsors will become required to reject any prescriptions for Medicare Part D drugs that are prescribed by an individual or entity that is on the Preclusion List. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will also become required to deny payments for any healthcare service or item that was provided by and individual or entity that is on the Preclusion List.
VII. Is This the Same as the OIG’s Exclusion List?
The OIG Exclusion List is NOT the same as this new CMS List. That being said, there is some overlap. If you have been excluded, you can still find yourself on the Preclusion List if you fall into the either of the two criteria listed above under the “How Does Someone End up on The CMS Preclusion List? ” section. As you can see in the diagram below, there is some overlap, but not much.
VIII. How can I Screen for Precluded Individuals or Entities?
Unfortunately, access to the CMS Preclusion List is Extremely Restricted. However, under certain circumstances, we here at Exclusion Screening, LLC can provide guidance and help. Contact us info@exclusionscreening.com, give us a call at (800)-294-0952, or fill out the form below for a free consultation and quote.
This article was written by Cason Liles.