Learning Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who initiated these new screening and enrollment guidelines?The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under standards established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with a focus on strengthening requirements for Medicaid provider screening and other enrollment requirements. | |
When will the new screening and enrollment guidelines be implemented?Although indicated in a May 9, 2012 Medicaid Bulletin and letter to State Agencies this would be implemented by August 1, 2012, due to delays a new implementation date will be targeted and communicated to providers in future bulletins. Prior to implementation, provider outreach activities will focus on communication of the new policies and other related information. New screening and enrollment information will be distributed through Medicaid bulletins, SCDHHS website messages and alerts, training and orientation activities for certain programs and updates to Program Manuals. | |
What are some of the new provider screening and enrollment guidelines?
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How are providers categorized by risk categories?Three levels of screening (limited, moderate and high) are recognized for those provider types that are also recognized provider or supplier types under Medicare. For those provider types that are not recognized under Medicare, SCDHHS has assessed the risk of fraud, waste and abuse using similar criteria to those used in Medicare. See the list below for SCDHHS risk categories: Limited Risk: (State-regulated and State-licensed would generally be categorized as limited risk)
Moderate Risk: (Highly dependent on Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP to pay salaries and other operating expenses and which are not subject to additional governmental or professional oversight and would be considered moderate risk)
High Risk: (Identified by the State as being especially vulnerable to improper payments and would be considered as high risk)
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Will the entities in each screening category stay the same?CMS will continuously evaluate whether they need to change the assignment of categories of providers and suppliers to various risk categories. If they assign certain groups of providers and/or suppliers to a different category, this change will be proposed in the Federal Register. | |
Can a provider be moved from one risk category to another?Yes, providers can be reassigned from the “limited” or “moderate” categories due to:
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How can I obtain more information regarding the new provider screening and other enrollment requirements?A link to the Federal Register, Vol 76, No. 22, dated February 2, 2011, can be found on the SCDHHS website at SCDHHS.gov. | |
Can a billing provider be an ordering or referring provider as well?Yes, as long as the provider is not designated as an ordering/referring provider exclusively. Future edits will prevent claims payment if an ordering/referring-only provider submits their NPI as a billing provider. | |
What is a Temporary Moratorium?A temporary moratorium is the imposition of a hold or freeze on the enrollment of new or initial Medicaid providers and suppliers of a particular provider type or the establishment of new practice locations of a particular provider type in a specific geographic area for a period of six months. CMS may extend a temporary moratorium in six month increments. The announcement of a moratorium will be reported in the Federal Register. | |