CMS turns Medicare enrollment into a program-integrity tool, per legal analysis

CMS is now using the Medicare enrollment process as a program-integrity tool, according to a legal analysis published today. The agency's scrutiny has intensified, requiring more extensive documentation and verification during enrollment and revalidation. This shift makes the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) a frontline defense against fraud. Practices can expect longer processing times and more frequent requests for additional information. The analysis advises clinics to audit their enrollment records now for accuracy and to prepare for heightened verification during their next revalidation cycle.