CMS Announces Extension of Eligibility Appeals Deadline to April 30

CMS is extending the deadline for eligible professionals (EPs) to submit eligibility appeals under the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs' 2011 payment year. The new deadline is April 30, 2012, giving EPs an extra month to file their appeals.

An eligibility appeal allows a provider to show that all the requirements for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program were met and that he or she should have received a payment but could not because of circumstances outside of the provider's control.

CMS affords providers with a two-level appeal process: an informal review and a request for reconsideration. Within the two-level appeal process, there are three types of appeals that can be filed in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program: (1) eligibility, (2) meaningful use, and (3) incentive payment appeals.

Detailed guidance on the appeals process and additional information on all of the appeal types are available on the OCSQ website.

Note: For general questions and for information on how to file an appeal, providers may contact Provider Resources, Inc., CMS' designated appeal support contractor, via phone between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday or via email.

1. Toll-free number: 855-796-1515
2. Email: OCSQAppeals@provider-resources.com