New Medicare Opt-Out Law Requires Physicians and Practitioners to Act

As a result of changes made by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), valid opt-out affidavits signed on or after June 16, 2015 will automatically renew every two years. Physicians and practitioners who file affidavits effective on or after June 16, 2015 who do not want their opt-out to automatically renew at the end of a two-year period must cancel the renewal by notifying all Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) with which they filed an affidavit, in writing, at least 30 days prior to the start of the next opt-out period.

Prior to enactment of MACRA, physician/practitioner opt-out affidavits were only effective for two years. Valid opt-out affidavits signed before June 16, 2015 will continue to expire two years after the effective date of the opt-out. Physicians and practitioners who filed affidavits effective before June 16, 2015 who want to extend their opt-out, must submit a renewal affidavit within 30 days after the current opt-out period expires to all MACs with which they would file claims if they were to opt into the Medicare program.

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Renee Dustman

Executive Editor at AAPC

Renee Dustman, BS, AAPC MACRA Proficient, is an executive editor at AAPC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Media Communications - Journalism. Renee has more than 20 years experience in print production and content management. Follow her on Twitter @dustman_aapc.

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