Palmetto GBA Update: New Contractor Coming to Handle Suppliers Billing Number Privileges

Published in Government Relations on October 20, 2022

Ronda Buhrmester

There is a new contractor coming on board to handle suppliers' billing number privileges (PTAN). We know the common name National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) that has been contracted with Palmetto GBA.  

Changes are coming this fall. Beginning Nov. 7, Novitas is the name of the contractor taking over for all the states east of the Mississippi River.  

There are now two Jurisdictions for the now-named National Provider Enrollment contractor (NPE). Palmetto GBA, the current contractor, is handling states west of the Mississippi River as NPE west. Then there is NPE East which is Novitas handling states east of the Mississippi River. 

Those suppliers with locations east of the Mississippi River will need to update the certificate holder to the general liability policy. Currently, it will reference the NSC, Palmetto GBA, as the certificate holder name, this needs to be updated to Novitas NPEast at the time of renewal.  

For suppliers west of the Mississippi River, while the contractor continues to be Palmetto GBA, the certificate holder's name needs to be updated to reflect Palmetto NPWest. This can be done at the time of renewal. 

In addition, this is a suitable time to review all your licenses, insurance, surety bond, etc. for expirations and renewals. If you have updated a license, insurance policy, surety bond, or any other documents related to the supplier standards, this information needs to be updated with the National Provider Enrollment contractor! Do not wait for them to come to you because at that point it is too late and could end up with deactivation or revocation. If this happens, it will disrupt your cash flow.  

Please review all these documents for updates. 

More to come as we transition into the changes. See the article for more information on general liability insurance updates. 

From Our Experts

Government Relations: Speak With One Voice thumbnail Government Relations: Speak With One Voice The DMEPOS industry must show a unified front, speak with a unified voice, and together be champions of change. Clarification on Standard Written Orders thumbnail Clarification on Standard Written Orders Recently the DME MACs released a Dear Physician Letter that clarified language on a standard written order (SWO) specifically related to CPAP masks. While the article was great news being welcomed by the industry, it also initiated additional conversation for other PAP supplies such as interfaces and tubing. Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter thumbnail Ronda Vlog: Further Updates on Refill Requirements and Dear Physician Letter Be sure to watch this update from Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, where she gives updates on the change to the refill requirement, effective Jan. 1, 2024 and the Dear Physician letter released in February. Change Health Resources thumbnail Change Health Resources VGM recognizes that many of our members in the DMEPOS provider community have been negatively impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare that occurred on February 21, 2024. We continue to monitor the situation and promote the creation of resources to help providers navigate through this with as little negative impact to their business as possible. Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit thumbnail Insights from the 2024 State Leaders Summit The VGM State Leaders Summit concluded in early February at the VGM headquarters in Waterloo, IA. State leaders from home medical equipment (HME) state associations traveled to Waterloo to collaborate on their priorities for 2024 and find ways to enhance their associations. Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate thumbnail Vlog: Ike Isaacson Give an Update on the 75/25 Blended Rate Watch this video update from VGM's Ike Isaacson on the importance of the 75/25 blended rate. Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! thumbnail Welcome to 2024. Let's Talk Root Causes! Kim Cuce explains how to identify the root causes of issues that DMEPOS providers often face. Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief thumbnail Urgent Advocacy Needed: Extend 75/25 Blended Rate Relief As government funding negotiations continue, our 75/25 blended-rate provision is at stake. Let's unite our voices and secure the relief our HME community needs.