
I. What is the 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 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 reenrollment 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 that 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.”
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 Preclusion List go into Effect?
he Preclusion List.
VII. Is This the Same as the OIG’s Exclusion List?
