An Interim Final Rule published in May by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) seems to require that any physician who refers or orders Medicare services to be enrolled in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) by July 6, 2010. This rule has created massive confusion within the provider community. 

NCMS has learned that Medicare administrative contractors have not been directed to enforce the July 6 deadline against physicians who are not enrolled in PECOS. January 3, 2011 is still the deadline that providers are required be enrolled in PECOS to avoid denial of Medicare claims.  CMS created the July 6 deadline for physicians who  are seeking  federal stimulus dollars (ARRA) for electronic health record (EHR) systems.