News and briefs: Physicians can enroll in Medicare 60 days in advance

Physicians now have a longer time frame to enroll in Medicare before starting to practice at a new location. According to the American Medical Association, CMS now requires Medicare contractors to accept enrollment applications 60 days prior to the “effective date,” which is either the date a physician files an application approved by Medicare or the date a physician begins providing services at the new location. The latter of the two dates is considered the effective date. Previously, physicians had to wait 30 days prior to the effective date to file an enrollment application.