reassigning medicare benefits

[tpsdawg]

My doctor is currently enrolled with medicare as a solo practice. We initially filled out a cms 855i to set up his practice. He would now like to employ a physician part time. I'm told the new doc will have to fill out an 855r. Can this new doctor reassign his medicare benefits to my solo doc or will we have to submit an 855b and register as a group. My doc does not want to do the latter and is hoping he can still bill as an 855i. Thank u for your help!

[kristin]

I just looked over the 855r application, and it does appear that the new doctor can just reassign benefits to the existing doctor. The existing doctor does not need to form a group. Think of the existing doctor as the "eligible supplier", in this case.

[paullad1]

Yes,Krisitn I think what you say about reassigning medicare benefits would be true with my experience and knowledge as well.

[RichardP]

We just went through this for one of our clients.  They have left their practice to work for a concierge company.

http://www.md2.com/concierge-medical-offices.php?ofx=10

But the client who left his practice still own the practice - as it is set up as an organization, with an Employer ID Number and a Type 2 NPI Number attached to that EIN.  Departing doctor owns the organization.

Departing doctor hired a doctor to see the patients.  New-Hire reassigned his medicare benefits to the organization (identified by EIN and Type 2 NPI Number) - not to the doctor himself.  Organization's name and Type 2 NPI Number in Box 33a.  Box 25 contains EIN of organization/Hiring Doctor.  New-Hire Type 1 NPI in Box 24j and Name in Box 31.  We have just started billing medicare under this new setup.  Don't have any feedback yet from Noridian.