30 days. Under 42 CFR 424.516(d), physicians, nonphysician practitioners, and their organizations must report "A change, addition, or deletion of a practice location" to their Medicare contractor "Within 30 days." The same 30-day list includes "A change of ownership" and "Any adverse legal action," and the regulation says "All other changes in enrollment must be reported within 90 days."
Who this rule covers
The paragraph starts with who it covers:
42 CFR 424.516(d): "Physicians, nonphysician practitioners, and physician and nonphysician practitioner organizations must report the following reportable events to their Medicare contractor within the specified timeframes:"
Scope note: this is paragraph (d), the rule for physicians, NPPs, and their organizations. Other provider and supplier types have their own reporting paragraphs in 424.516: IDTFs in (b), DMEPOS suppliers in (c), and "all other providers and suppliers" in (e). If you're not a physician, NPP, or one of their organizations, read the paragraph that applies to you.
What has to be reported within 30 days
The regulation lists three events:
42 CFR 424.516(d)(1): "Within 30 days— (i) A change of ownership; (ii) Any adverse legal action; or (iii) A change, addition, or deletion of a practice location."
The location item covers three situations in one phrase:
| situation | regulation's word |
|---|---|
| Moved to a new suite or address | "change" |
| Opened a new site | "addition" |
| Closed a site | "deletion" |
Everything else: 90 days
42 CFR 424.516(d)(2): "All other changes in enrollment must be reported within 90 days."
That gives this group two timeframes: 30 days for the three listed events, 90 days for all other changes in enrollment.
A desk habit for moves, openings, and closings
These are practical suggestions, not regulatory text:
- Put it in the move plan. When a lease is signed or a site opens or closes, add "report to our MAC" to the plan, with the 30-day date on the calendar.
- Sort the change. Is it a location change, a change of ownership, or an adverse legal action? That's the 30-day list. Any other enrollment change goes on the 90-day list.
- Report it the way your MAC instructs. When in doubt, check the source and your MAC.
FAQ
How long do physicians have to report a practice location change to Medicare?
42 CFR 424.516(d)(1): "Within 30 days— (i) A change of ownership; (ii) Any adverse legal action; or (iii) A change, addition, or deletion of a practice location."
Who does the 30-day rule in 424.516(d) apply to?
42 CFR 424.516(d): "Physicians, nonphysician practitioners, and physician and nonphysician practitioner organizations must report the following reportable events to their Medicare contractor within the specified timeframes:" Other provider and supplier types have their own reporting paragraphs in 424.516.
Does opening or closing a location count?
Yes. The 30-day list includes "A change, addition, or deletion of a practice location."
What about other enrollment changes?
42 CFR 424.516(d)(2): "All other changes in enrollment must be reported within 90 days."
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Source: 42 CFR 424.516, Additional provider and supplier requirements for enrolling and maintaining active enrollment status in the Medicare program (current eCFR). All quotes above are from paragraph (d), plus the paragraph (e) heading phrase "all other providers and suppliers."