Watch Your Mail for Notices from Highmark Medicare Services
Watch your mail for important enrollment notices from Highmark Medicare Services (HMS).
Revalidation
As instructed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Highmark Medicare Services (HMS) will send a letter between October 2009 and January 2010 to select actively practicing physicians, non-physicians, and group or organizational providers requesting a revalidation application.
If HMS doesn’t receive a revalidation application (updated 855 enrollment form) within 60 calendar days of the request date, it will revoke billing privileges and bar the provider from re-enrolling in Medicare for one year.
Originally, CMS instructed HMS to deactivate billing privileges if the letter was returned as undeliverable, but they have opted not to do that.
Mass mailing
In November and December 2009, HMS sent a second letter to all individual, actively practicing physicians and non-physician providers, reminding them of requirements to notify Medicare of certain enrollment changes. The letters were sent only to individual providers, not organizations, groups, or group members.
Again, HMS does not immediately plan to deactivate billing privileges if the letter is returned as undeliverable, but the Pennsylvania Medical Society recommends that physicians—particularly those who receive electronic remittance advice (ERA) and electronic funds transfer (EFT)—confirm that their practice address is correct.
Call HMS at (877) 235-8073 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday. HMS also has developed an online tool that will allow you to determine if you should have received a letter.
Last Updated: 12/28/2009