Compliance CMS-855B
Validation Checks by Instafill.ai
1
Legal Business Name Matches IRS Tax Documentation
Validates that the Legal Business Name entered in Section 2B1 exactly matches the name on file with the Internal Revenue Service as confirmed by IRS documentation such as Form CP 575. This check is critical because discrepancies between the application name and IRS records can cause delays in enrollment processing and payment issuance. If validation fails, the application will be flagged for correction and the enrollment process will be delayed until the names are reconciled.
2
National Provider Identifier (NPI) Format and Type Validation
Validates that the NPI entered is a 10-digit numeric identifier and that the correct NPI type is used — Type 1 (individual) for sole proprietors and Type 2 (organizational) for corporations, partnerships, and other organizations. The NPI must be obtained from NPPES prior to submitting this enrollment application, and linking the wrong NPI type to a Medicare billing number can result in claim rejections. If an NPI of the wrong type or format is submitted, the application cannot be processed and Medicare billing privileges cannot be established.
3
Tax Identification Number (EIN) Format Validation
Validates that the Tax Identification Number provided in Section 2B1 follows the standard 9-digit Employer Identification Number format (XX-XXXXXXX) as assigned by the IRS. The TIN is a mandatory field used to link the supplier's Medicare enrollment to their tax records and is required for payment processing. Submission of an incorrectly formatted or invalid TIN will result in the application being rejected or delayed, and may prevent Medicare payments from being issued.
4
Date Format Consistency Validation (mm/dd/yyyy)
Validates that all date fields throughout the application — including incorporation date, license effective and expiration dates, first Medicare patient date, date of birth fields, and signature dates — are entered in the required mm/dd/yyyy format. Inconsistent or incorrectly formatted dates are a common source of processing errors and can cause the fee-for-service contractor to request corrections. If any date field contains an invalid format, an out-of-range value, or a logically impossible date (e.g., expiration date before effective date), the application will be returned for correction.
5
License and Certification Expiration Date Not in the Past
Validates that all state license and certification expiration or renewal dates provided in Section 2B2 and Attachment 1B are current and have not already passed at the time of application submission. Suppliers must hold valid, unexpired licenses and certifications to qualify for Medicare enrollment, and submitting an application with expired credentials will result in denial of enrollment or billing privileges. If an expiration date is found to be in the past, the applicant must renew the license or certification before the application can be approved.
6
Practice Location Address Cannot Be a P.O. Box
Validates that the practice location street address entered in Section 4A is a physical street address and does not contain a P.O. Box designation. Medicare requires a verifiable physical location for all enrolled suppliers to ensure that services are actually being rendered at a legitimate site, and P.O. Boxes are explicitly prohibited as practice location addresses. If a P.O. Box is detected in the practice location address field, the application will be rejected and the applicant must provide a valid physical address.
7
Social Security Number Format Validation for Individuals
Validates that all Social Security Numbers entered in Sections 6A, 15, 16, and Attachment 2 (for interpreting physicians, supervising physicians, and technicians) follow the standard 9-digit SSN format (XXX-XX-XXXX) and are not all zeros or sequential placeholder numbers. SSNs are required for all individual owners, authorized officials, delegated officials, and IDTF personnel, and must match records on file with the Social Security Administration. Failure to provide a valid SSN for any required individual will result in the application being returned incomplete.
8
Authorized Official Signature Presence and Completeness
Validates that Section 15 contains at least one completed authorized official signature block, including the official's printed first name, last name, title/position, telephone number, and a dated original signature. The authorized official's signature legally and financially binds the supplier to Medicare program requirements, and applications submitted without a valid authorized official signature cannot be processed. Faxed, photocopied, stamped, or undated signatures are explicitly not accepted and will result in the application being returned without processing.
9
Reason for Application Selection and Required Sections Completeness
Validates that exactly one reason for application has been selected in Section 1A (e.g., new enrollee, reactivation, voluntary termination, change of information, revalidation) and that all sections required for that specific reason have been completed. Each application reason has a distinct set of required sections, and submitting an application with an unselected reason or missing required sections will cause processing delays. If the reason for application is not checked or required sections are left blank, the fee-for-service contractor will return the application for completion.
10
Voluntary Termination Effective Date is Present and Valid
Validates that when 'Voluntary Termination' is selected as the reason for application in Section 1A, an effective date of termination is provided and that the date is in the correct mm/dd/yyyy format and is not a past date that would be unreasonably retroactive. The termination effective date is required to properly close the supplier's Medicare billing privileges and prevent improper payments. If the termination effective date is missing or invalid, the termination cannot be processed and the supplier may continue to receive or be liable for Medicare payments.
11
IDTF Liability Insurance Minimum Coverage Validation
Validates that Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) completing Attachment 2 have indicated a comprehensive liability insurance policy of at least $300,000 per location, and that a copy of the policy is submitted with the application. Per 42 C.F.R. 410.33(g)(6), IDTFs must maintain this minimum coverage at all times, and the policy must be carried by a non-relative-owned company; malpractice insurance does not satisfy this requirement. Failure to provide proof of adequate liability insurance will result in denial of IDTF enrollment or revocation of billing privileges retroactive to the date coverage lapsed.
12
IDTF Supervising Physician Medicare Enrollment Status
Validates that all supervising physicians listed in Attachment 2E for an IDTF are currently enrolled in the Medicare program, as required by CMS standards. At least one supervising physician must be reported for each IDTF, and each must have completed and signed the attestation statement confirming their supervisory responsibilities and proficiency for the reported CPT-4 and HCPCS codes. If a supervising physician is not enrolled in Medicare or has not signed the attestation, the IDTF application will be considered incomplete and enrollment will be denied.
13
Correspondence Address Cannot Be a Billing Agency Address
Validates that the mailing/correspondence address provided in Section 2B3 is the supplier's own address and does not belong to a billing agency or third-party billing service. The correspondence address is used by the fee-for-service contractor to contact the supplier directly, and using a billing agency's address for this purpose is explicitly prohibited. If the correspondence address is identified as belonging to a billing agency, the application will be flagged and the supplier will be required to provide their own valid contact address.
14
Final Adverse Action Disclosure Completeness
Validates that when 'Yes' is selected in response to the final adverse legal action history question in Sections 3, 5B, or 6B, all required details are provided including the type of adverse action, the date it was taken, the Federal or State agency or court that imposed it, and the resolution if any. All final adverse actions must be reported regardless of whether records were expunged or appeals are pending, and supporting documentation must be attached. Incomplete disclosure of adverse action history is considered a material omission that can result in denial of enrollment or revocation of Medicare billing privileges.
15
ASC Accreditation Dates Logical Consistency
Validates that for Ambulatory Surgical Centers completing Section 2F, the effective date of current accreditation is earlier than the expiration date of current accreditation, and that the expiration date has not already passed at the time of submission. ASCs must be accredited or qualify as exempt in order to enroll in Medicare, and submitting accreditation dates that are logically inconsistent or expired indicates the supplier may not currently meet enrollment requirements. If the accreditation expiration date precedes the effective date or is in the past, the application will be returned for correction or denial.
16
Interpreting Physician Medicare Enrollment and SSN/DOB Completeness for IDTFs
Validates that each interpreting physician listed in Attachment 2C has a Social Security Number and Date of Birth provided (both marked as required fields), and that the physician is currently enrolled in the Medicare program as required by CMS policy. When an IDTF bills globally for both the technical component and the interpretation, all interpreting physicians must be identified and verified as active Medicare enrollees. If any interpreting physician is missing required identifying information or is not enrolled in Medicare, the IDTF will not be permitted to bill globally for those interpretations.