Palmetto GBA will continue to service as national supplier clearinghouse for Medicare

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded Palmetto GBA a one-year base contract with four one-year options. If all options are exercised, the contract will have a value of approximately $76 million, according to the company.

Palmetto GBA, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, has held the national supplier clearinghouse contract since 1993. Responsibilities include issuing and recommending revocations of Medicare billing privileges for medical equipment suppliers to ensure that only accredited, qualified suppliers are enrolled in the Medicare program. The national supplier clearinghouse also is required to establish and maintain programs to prevent and detect fraud.

“We are extremely proud to continue the important work of the [national supplier clearinghouse],” said Bruce Hughes, president of Palmetto GBA. “[The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] has demonstrated its confidence that Palmetto GBA will carry out the responsibilities as efficiently as possible while providing quality service to medical equipment suppliers and the Medicare program.

“Our NSC employees work every day to make sure Medicare beneficiaries scan obtain the medical equipment and supplies they need from suppliers that meet Medicare standards. We look forward to performing these duties for years to come.”