Intermediary Selection
Until recently, certain provider types (hospital, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, ESRD, etc.) could select the fiscal intermediary (FI) that would service their organization. As of October 1, 2005, providers enrolling in the Medicare program can no longer express a preference for a particular FI. CMS will assign new providers to the intermediary serving the state in which the provider is located.
For additional information, please refer to the Medlearn Matters article on this topic at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0582.pdf
An exception applies to providers that are part of CMS-recognized chains. These providers continue to have the option of being assigned to the local FI or to the FI that serves the chain home office.
Specialty providers (home health, hospice, freestanding rural health clinic, and federally qualified health care centers) will continue to be assigned to their designated specialty FIs.