With all the major changes occurring in the DME industry, the NSC is aware and understands suppliers may feel overwhelmed and confused. The NSC wants to provide suppliers with clear and consistent information regarding how these changes affect the supplier community's relationship with the NSC.
Below are FAQs the NSC has received regarding accreditation and the Competitive Bidding Program. We hope this information assists in understanding the differences between the DMEPOS enrollment process, competitive bidding and accreditation.
Why should I keep the information on my supplier file current?
The NSC cannot express enough the importance of ensuring your supplier information is accurate and up-to-date. Some of the information submitted with your bid will be verified using the information maintained by the NSC. If this information does not match, the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) will not accept your bid and you may lose your opportunity to participate in this program.
For the purposes of participating in the Competitive Bidding Program, how can I verify the information on my supplier file is current?
Suppliers may contact the NSC Customer Service Line at (866) 238-9652 to verify certain information on the supplier file. To ensure the successful submission of your bid, you will want to verify the following information with the NSC:
- Supplier Number
- Authorized Official's First and Last Name
- Authorized Official's Date of Birth
- Authorized Official's Social Security Number
- Mailing Address
If any discrepancies are discovered, the NSC analyst will instruct you on how to update the supplier file. Please ensure someone listed on the supplier file contacts the NSC. The NSC analyst will not be able to provide any supplier specific information to an individual not listed on the supplier file.
What are the NSC's responsibilities in the competitive bidding and accreditation processes?
The NSC's chief responsibility in the competitive bidding process is to provide the CBIC with supplier information necessary for the CBIC to verify identifying information submitted by suppliers.
With regards to the accreditation process, the NSC will in the future be tasked with verifying the supplier is properly accredited and for collecting and maintaining information regarding supplier accreditation. Please note the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has yet to establish a date when all suppliers must be accredited. Therefore, suppliers are not required to provide the NSC with accreditation information or complete Section 2F of the CMS 855S application form. The NSC will inform suppliers when this information is required.
Note: CMS has stated suppliers that plan to participate in the Competitive Bidding Program must already be accredited or be in the process of being accredited.
Who should suppliers contact with questions regarding the Competitive Bidding Program?
Suppliers should contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contract (CBIC) with any questions regarding the Competitive Bidding Program. The CBIC is responsible for the various tasks associated with implementing and monitoring the Competitive Bidding Program.
The CBIC help line number is (877) 577-5331 and is available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Further CBIC contact information may be found by visiting the Competitive Bid Web site.
CMS has also announced the first 10 metropolitan areas in which competition will occur, as well as the first items to be competitively bid. Visit the CMS Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/ to view the rule and for additional information.
Will the new quality standards replace the 21 DMEPOS supplier standards?
The supplier standards established at 42 C.F.R. 424.57(c) will remain in place. Suppliers are required to be and remain in compliance with these standards in order to obtain and retain billing privileges.
The quality standards, established by CMS in response to the competitive bidding and accreditation requirement of the MMA of 2003 are separate requirements. The established accrediting bodies will enforce the quality standards during the accreditation process.
Will the NSC conduct site visits for accreditation purposes?
Neither the NSC nor its site visit contractors will conduct site visits with regard to the accreditation process. These are separate processes. Suppliers can expect to have site visits from both the NSC and the accrediting organizations.
The NSC and the Jurisdiction C Transition
It's just another day when it comes to the NSC and the upcoming Jurisdiction C transition. Suppliers should note the NSC is not transitioning along with the Region C DMERC come June.
The NSC is a national contract held by Palmetto GBA responsible for DMEPOS supplier enrollment and was not part of the Jurisdiction C award to CIGNA Government Services. Palmetto GBA will continue to administer the NSC contract.
Suppliers will follow the same procedures they do today with regard to DMEPOS supplier enrollment. Suppliers will submit initial applications, reenrollments and changes of information as usual.