Long-awaited CMS PECOS surrogate program has launched

The  Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) enrollment system, which went offline for system maintenance on or about Oct 10 is online and accepting entries; and the PECOS surrogate program, which had been promised but not given an opening date by CMS, launched on Oct. 15. It was launched without an official announcement because of the government shutdown that has been in effect since October 1, a top CMS official explains. Because of the resulting staff furloughs, CMS is unable to update CMS.gov or publish any MLN matters articles, the official adds.

 

The surrogate program allows certain third parties, such as non-clinical practice staff who want to enroll providers, to use PECOS, directly online. Previously,  staff frequently enrolled providers using the providers' login and password in violation of CMS rules.

 

Surrogates can now register via PECOS to receive their own usernames and passwords. The providers they seek to register will then receive two emails – one with a link and one with a PIN number – prompting them to approve or deny the pending surrogate.