PECOS FAQ - Advantages and limitation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is Internet-based PECOS available to provider and supplier organizations in all States and the District of Columbia?

Yes. However, suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies(DMEPOS) will not be able to use Internet-based PECOS until a later date.

Q2. What are the advantages of Internet-based PECOS?
The primary advantages of Internet-based PECOS are to:

Reduce the time necessary for provider and supplier organizations to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment information;

Streamline the Medicare enrollment process for provider and supplier organizations;

Allow provider and supplier organizations to view their Medicare enrollment information to ensure that it is accurate; and

Reduce the administrative burden associated with completing and submitting enrollment information to Medicare.


Q3. What information will a provider or supplier organization need before beginning to complete the enrollment via Internet-based PECOS?

The list below shows the type of information needed in order to complete an initial enrollment application for a provider or supplier organization using Internet-based PECOS. This  information is similar to the information needed to complete a paper Medicare enrollment application.


The provider or supplier organization’s active National Provider Identifier (NPI);
Other identifying information, to include the Legal Business Name and the Taxpayer
Identification Number of the provider or supplier organization;
Bank account information;
Practice location address(es);

Business license(s); and, if applicable
Information about any final adverse actions.

Q4. Are provider and supplier organizations required to complete and submit enrollment applications via Internet-based PECOS?

No. They continue to have the option of completing and mailing paper Medicare enrollment applications to Medicare contractors.

Q5. My skilled nursing facility has been enrolled in Medicare for many years. But when I access Internet-based PECOS to view its enrollment record, I can’t find the facility. Is this an error?

Even though a provider or supplier organization may be enrolled in Medicare, its enrollment record might not be in PECOS. If the provider or supplier organization enrolled in Medicare more than 5 years ago and has not reported any changes or updates to its enrollment record in the past 5 years, the provider or supplier organization probably does not have an enrollment record in PECOS. A provider or supplier organization that does not have an enrollment record in
PECOS will have to submit an initial Medicare enrollment application, either via Internet-based PECOS or by using the paper application process.

Q6. Who do I call if I am unable to access Internet-based PECOS even though I have a PECOS User ID and password?

You should contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) External User Services (EUS) Help Desk at 1-866-484-8049 or EUSSupport@cgi.com.

Q7. Who do I call if I have a general provider enrollment question?

Medicare contractors (fiscal intermediaries, carriers, or A/B MACs) answer general enrollment questions.

Q8. Are there any processing limitations for Internet-based PECOS?

Yes. While Internet-based PECOS supports most enrollment scenarios for provider and supplier organizations, there are some limitations that will not be available until a future date. For example, changes of ownership, consolidations/acquisitions, and mergers cannot be accommodated in Internet-based PECOS at this time. Limitations are described in the document
entitled, “Overview of Internet-based PECOS – Information for Provider and Supplier Organizations,” which is available in the Downloads Section of the Medicare provider/supplier enrollment web page: www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.