Update to Georgia State Licensure and Medicare Processing Timelines

INSIGHTS

• The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has implemented a new licensure submission portal and an approximate 60-business-day processing timeline for applications.
• The Georgia Board of Pharmacy advises a 60-business-day processing timeline for applications.
• The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and local contractors continue to rely on state licensure agencies to process Medicare enrollment changes, including changes to practice locations and changes of ownership.
• Providers opening new facilities, preparing for a transaction, converting/relocating provider-based outpatient sites or otherwise changing licensure information should incorporate these processing deadlines into their project management timelines.

DCH has implemented an updated online portal for licensure submissions, x-ray registrations, CLIA applications, and home health/hospice administrator or director of nursing changes. Applications can be submitted at: https://gahles.dch.georgia.gov/. File size limitations and other supporting document restrictions are in place and may result in troubleshooting delays. Additionally, Medicare enrollment processing timelines layered on top of state processing timelines continue to create enormous delays in obtaining tie-in notices or updates to Medicare provider enrollment (PECOS), particularly if a site-visit is required. Providers are cautioned to implement these processing timelines into their project management plans when coordinating across working groups, including compliance, reimbursement, facilities, legal, etc.

Please note that the information provided in this release is general in nature and not intended as legal advice. Specific circumstances may vary, and we encourage clients to contact us directly for personalized assistance and further information.

Parker Hudson’s Client Alerts are published solely for the interests of friends and clients of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP and should in no way be relied upon or construed as legal advice. For specific information on recent developments or particular factual situations, the opinion of legal counsel should be sought. These materials may be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING in some jurisdictions.

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