Remember Opt-in/Opt out? CMS has rescinded a previously announced rule that would have required dentists (who provide dental care and prescriptions for Medicare Advantage patients and Part D beneficiaries) to be enrolled in Medicare or to have opted out in order for their services to be covered.
CMS will use a preclusion list as a substitute for the enrollment/opt-out requirement. The final rule will take effect June 15, and CMS will begin using the preclusion list on Jan. 1 2019.
What does this mean for you?
If you have NOT “opted-in or opted-out yet – you no longer need to do anything.
If you filed the 8550 form opt-in for prescriptions and referrals only– you do not need to do anything
If you filed an opt-out affidavit: after June 16, 2015 – this will auto-renew in two years. If you do not want to extend your opt-out status at the end of the two-year period, you may cancel by notifying (in writing) all Medicare contractors with which you filed an affidavit AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE NEXT TWO-YEAR opt-out period– you have only 30 days from the next effective date to submit the appropriate paperwork for processing, otherwise your opt-out status will auto-renew.
You can contact the CMS customer service line at 1-877-235-8073 to verify your effective date and/or end date.