Eligible physicians, providers and suppliers can expect to receive a postcard announcing the open participation enrollment period this year.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed contractors to use postcards in place of the CD packets distributed in recent years.  Previously, CDs included an electronic copy of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).  Due to the frequency of last-minute changes to the MPFS in recent years, CMS has directed contractors not to distribute electronic copies.  Instead, contractors will keep updated copies of the MPFS on their websites. 

Postcard announcements will be mailed in early November to announce the open enrollment period, which takes place from mid-November through Dec. 31.  The contractor’s toll-free telephone number and Web address will be listed on the postcard, which will direct the recipients to their Medicare contractor’s website for fee schedule information and enrollment information.  Participating health-care professionals who do not wish to change their participation status will not be required to take any action during the open enrollment period. 

The Medicare Learning Network recently published an article that provides more information about the postcard announcement of open enrollment.  Additional information about participation enrollment can be reviewed in a CMS transmittal about the postcard announcement.

Coding Corner articles are archived on the Coding Page of the AASM website for future reference.