WASHINGTON, DC – CMS implemented the fingerprint-based background requirement on August 6, 2014, as discussed in the rule published on February 2, 2011. Fingerprint-based background checks are required for all individuals with a 5% or greater ownership interest in a provider or supplier that falls into the high risk category and is currently enrolled in Medicare, or has submitted an initial enrollment application.
Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) have begun sending letters to these providers and suppliers, listing all owners who are required to be fingerprinted. The letters are being mailed to the provider or supplier’s correspondence address and the special payments address on file with Medicare.
Identified individuals have 30 days from the date of the letter to be fingerprinted. Failure to comply with the fingerprint requirements could result in denial of your Medicare enrollment application or revocation of your Medicare billing privileges.
Visit Accurate Biometrics for fingerprinting procedures, to find a fingerprint collection site, and to ensure the fingerprint results are accurately submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and properly returned to CMS. For more information on this requirement, see MLN Matters® Special Edition Article #SE1427, “Fingerprint-based Background Check Begins August 6, 2014.” For questions, contact Accurate Biometrics at 866- 361-9944, or visit their website at www.cmsfingerprinting.com.
Instructions read as follows:
• Print the standard fingerprint form (FD-258) and Affidavit on regular printer paper by clicking the button below.
• Fingerprints should be placed on the FD-258 fingerprint card.
• Individuals may NOT fingerprint themselves; fingerprints MUST be obtained from a law enforcement agency or fingerprint vendor.
• Each fingerprint form FD-258 must include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken simultaneously. (these are sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions)
• Affidavit must be completed by the local law enforcement agency or fingerprint vendor.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency or fingerprint vendor to make arrangements to have your affidavit completed and hard copy ink fingerprints taken directly on each of these forms (photocopies of your fingerprints are not permitted; however, if the agency taking the prints uses livescan and a printer to print a fingerprint card, that method is acceptable). Please note that the agency may charge a fee to take your fingerprints.
Keep the Pressure on for H.R. 4920
With a round two recompete set for 2015 and administrative proposals to extend bidding-based rates to rural areas nationwide, the need for significant fixes to the bidding program is undeniable. Even as we enter the last weeks of the Congressional campaign season, it’s important to keep the pressure on your legislators to support H.R. 4920, legislation that would mandate proper licensure and require bidders to stand by their bids.
Any effort to raise the visibility of this bipartisan, common-sense legislation with current legislators and candidates during the political season will help the prospects for a fix to the bidding program in the current Congressional session or next year.
Contact your member of Congress’ office using the congressional directory in AAHomecare’s Action Center; call your representative’s office directly and ask to reach the Legislative Assistant handling healthcare-related issues. You can also send a message directly to your legislators here. More perspective is available in our issue brief on H.R. 4920.
Stand Up for Homecare Sponsors
AAHomecare thanks its many Stand Up for Homecare sponsors for their generous support of the homecare community. When you attend or donate to Stand Up for Homecare, you are endorsing AAHomecare efforts to promote a positive image of the HME industry, raise public awareness of home care’s many benefits, and support consumer advocacy groups.
Thank you to the organizations who Stand Up for Homecare!
Diamond
Invacare Corporation, Medtrade
Silver
Apria, Brightree, Brown & Fortunato, CAIRE, Drive Medical, Hoveround, The MED Group, MK Battery, MSD, Philips Respironics, Pride Mobility, ResMed, Shield Healthcare, The VGM Group
Industry Supporters
HME Business, HME News, HomeCare, Mobility Management, Respiratory & Sleep Management, SeniorCare Products
Advocates
Barnes Healthcare Services, BLACKBURN’S, Laurel Medical Supplies, McKesson Patient Care Solutions, Mediware CPR+ Fastrack, Smith & Nephew, Spectrum Medical, Inc., The Roho Group, Wright & Filippis
The Stand Up for Homecare reception is taking place October 21 at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, concurrent to Medtrade. Tickets are available online or at the door. Click here to register or donate.
AAHomecare Participates in PECOS Focus Group
Last week, AAHomecare was invited by CMS to participate in a PECOS focus group. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the January 2015 website updates. PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System) is an electronic Medicare enrollment application used by providers and suppliers. In addition to providing feedback on the upcoming changes, Mina Uehara, regulatory affairs associate, along with a coalition of providers and suppliers, shared challenges with the current system and made suggestions for future improvements. The upcoming January updates are the result of collaborative efforts between the industry and CMS, and the group was very pleased to see results from previous meetings.
AAHomecare in Action
Tom Ryan, president; Jay Witter, senior vice president of public policy; and Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs, met with Senate Finance Committee staff to discuss the ESRD proposed rule…Mina Uehara, regulatory affairs associate, participated in an industry stakeholder discussion about the PECOS Rule at CMS headquarters…the Separate Benefit Steering Committee convened…Peter Rankin, assistant director of government affairs, met with Rep Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich) to discuss competitive bidding and audit legislation.