New Medicare Opt-Out Renewal Procedures

Before the Medicare Access and SHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) passed, physicians had to renew their opt-out affidavit every two years if they wanted to enter into private contracts with Medicare beneficiaries. A new provision in the bill revises the old standards to be consistent with MACRA. If a physician signed their opt-out affidavit on or after June 16, 2015, it will automatically be renewed every two years. However, if a physician chooses to end the automatic renewal, they must cancel it by contacting all of the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) they filed the opt-out affidavits with in writing at least 30 days prior to the new renewal date. A physician that signed the opt-out affidavits before June 16, 2015, will not automatically renew after two years. If they choose to extend their status, the provider will need to submit a renewal affidavit to all of the MACs they sent the original affidavit to within 30 days after their current opt-out expires.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/