The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has become aware of a scam in which perpetrators, posing as the Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), are sending faxes to physician offices. The fax instructs physician staff to respond to a questionnaire to provide an account information update within 48 hours in order to prevent a gap in Medicare payments. The fax may contain the CMS logo and/or the contractor logo to enhance the appearance of authenticity.

Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) providers, including physicians and non-physician practitioners, should be wary of this type of request. If you receive a request for information in the manner described above, please check with Palmetto GBA before submitting any information. Medicare providers should only send information to a Medicare contractor using the address found in the download section of the CMS.gov Web site found at www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ or www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll. Palmetto GBA addresses are also available on the Palmetto GBA Web site.