US · guidance
CMS Pub. 100-08, ch. 10, § 10.3.1.1.13
Additional Form CMS-855A Processing Information
A. Supporting Documents Section
See the Supporting Documents section of the Form CMS-855A as well as section 10.3 of this
chapter for information concerning supporting documents.
B. Unsolicited Additional Information
If the provider submits additional/missing/clarifying data or documentation on its own volition
(i.e., not pursuant to a contractor request), the contractor shall include this additional
data/documentation in its overall application review. Any new or changed information that a
provider submits prior to the date the contractor finishes processing a previously submitted
change request constitutes a separate change request rather than an update to the original change
request. The contractor may process both changes simultaneously; however, the contractor shall
process the first submitted change to completion before processing the second one to completion.
C. Non-Enrollment Functions
In some instances, the contractor cannot forward an application to the state until it performs
certain non-enrollment functions pertaining to the application (e.g., the reimbursement unit needs
to examine patient listing data). The PECOS status may be changed to “approval recommended”
prior to the conclusion of the non-enrollment activity if: (1) the contractor has completed all
required enrollment actions; and (2) the non-enrollment action is the only remaining
unperformed activity.
D. Multiple Providers under a Single TIN
It is important for contractors to remember that multiple providers and suppliers --- even those of
different types --- may have the same TIN; for instance, a CORF, an HHA, and a hospice might
have a similar TIN. However, each provider must submit a separate Form CMS-855A
application. They cannot all be reported via one enrollment, though, for PECOS submissions,
consolidated applications may be permitted. (See section 10.3(B)(4) for more information.)
(For paper applications only, the contractor must create a separate enrollment record for each
provider under the same TIN).
E. Future Effective Dates
If the contractor cannot enter an effective date into PECOS because the provider, practice
location, etc., is not yet established, the contractor may use the authorized official’s date of
signature as the temporary effective date. Once the actual effective date is established, the
effective date in PECOS can be changed.
F. Provider-Based Entities
The contractor shall adhere to the following regarding the enrollment of provider-based entities:
1. Certified Provider or Certified Supplier Initially Enrolling – Suppose an HHA or other
certified provider or certified supplier wishes to enroll and become provider-based to a hospital.
The provider/supplier must enroll with the contractor as a separate entity. It cannot be listed as a
practice location on the hospital’s Form CMS-855A.
2. Certified Provider or Certified Supplier Changing its Provider-Based Status – If a
certified provider or certified supplier is changing its status from provider-based to freestanding
or vice versa, it need not submit any updates to its Form CMS-855A enrollment.
3. Group Practice Initially Enrolling – If a group practice is enrolling in Medicare and will
become provider-based to a hospital, the group generally must enroll via the Form CMS-855B if
it wants to bill for practitioner services. The group would also need to be listed or added as a
practice location on the hospital’s Form CMS-855A.
4. Group Practice Changing from Provider-Based to Freestanding – In this situation, the
hospital should submit a Form CMS-855A change request that deletes the clinic as a practice
location. The group may also need to change the type of clinic it is enrolled as; this may require
a new Form CMS-855B.
5. Group Practice Changing from Freestanding to Provider-Based – Here, the hospital must
submit a Form CMS-855A change request adding the group as a practice location. The group
may also need to change the type of clinic it is enrolled as; this may require a new Form CMS-
855B.
Unless CMS instructs otherwise, the contractor shall not delay its processing of any practice
location addition application pending receipt of a provider-based attestation or CMS approval of
provider-based status.
History
(Rev. 11839; Issued: 02-09-23; Effective: 04-21-23; Implementation: 06-19-23)
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-25
- Edition
- iom-2026-08-25
- Content hash
d37ec0873c89e39f66febe1b4452fe7e968d692598769299ec61779be2ab8572
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