Using Railroad Medicare's Online PTAN Lookup and Request Tool
Providers can now obtain their existing Railroad Medicare Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN) or request a new Railroad Medicare PTAN through our PTAN Lookup and Request Tool. This tool replaces the "Request for Railroad Medicare PTAN for Electronic Submitters" form.
The PTAN Lookup and Request Tool validates a provider’s enrollment information with our files, as well as with your local Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) and retrieves an existing Railroad Medicare PTAN or starts the process to create a new Railroad Medicare PTAN, as appropriate. This all occurs without the need to call our Provider Contact Center (PCC) or to fax old forms. Calls to the PCC will be directed to this tool, and faxed or mailed requests will be returned to the sender.
Before using the tool: Make sure your enrollment information is current with your local Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). If you recently received a new PTAN from your Part B MAC, please allow 14 business days from the date you received your PTAN before requesting a Railroad Medicare PTAN through the tool. If at any time your enrollment status with your local Part B MAC changes (such as failure to revalidate, provider revocations, provider suspensions, etc.), the same activity will occur with your Railroad Medicare PTAN.
How it works: This tool first validates the provider identification information you enter — local Part B MAC PTAN, National Provider Identifier (NPI) and Tax Identification Number (TIN) — against enrollment information in our files. If a match is found, the tool retrieves and releases the Railroad Medicare PTAN. If a match is not found, the tool gives providers the option to request a new Railroad Medicare PTAN. If you choose to request a new PTAN, the tool will then validate the provider identification information you entered against your enrollment record with your local Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). If a match can be found, the PTAN assignment process begins. The PTAN Tool will assign and release most new PTANs the day they are requested. Some requests may require research and you will be advised to return to the tool after 30 days to retrieve the new PTAN. If a match cannot be found, you will receive a message advising you that the request cannot be completed.
The PTAN Lookup and Request Tool is not able to look up an existing Railroad Medicare PTAN in the following circumstances:
- The provider is enrolled under a Social Security Number (SSN) instead of under a Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- The provider’s Railroad Medicare PTAN is not active
The PTAN Lookup and Request Tool is not able to assign a new Railroad Medicare PTAN in the following circumstances:
- The provider is enrolled under a Social Security Number (SSN) instead of under a Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- The provider’s local Part B MAC PTAN is linked to multiple NPIs
If one of the above scenarios applies to you, if you have attempted to request a PTAN and are unable to retrieve the PTAN after 30 days, or if you have otherwise been unable to successfully use the PTAN Tool, please call our Provider Contact Center at 888-355-9165 for assistance. Choose option 3 for Provider Enrollment.
Quick Reference:
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What do you want to do?
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Enter the following provider identification elements
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Look up an existing Railroad Medicare PTAN for an individual provider or supplier (physician, non-physician practitioner, ambulance, laboratory, ambulatory surgical center, etc.)
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*If the provider is enrolled with their Part B MAC under a Social Security Number (SSN), please contact the RRB SMAC PCC for assistance
If you are employed by a clearinghouse or third-party biller, you must contact the provider to obtain the Railroad Medicare PTAN. |
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Look up an existing Railroad Medicare PTAN for a group/practice
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If you are employed by a clearinghouse or third-party biller, you must contact the provider to obtain the Railroad Medicare PTAN.
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Request a new Railroad Medicare PTAN for an individual provider (physician, non-physician practitioner, ambulance, laboratory, ambulatory surgical center, etc.)
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* If the provider’s Part B MAC PTAN is linked to multiple NPIs, please contact the RRB SMAC PCC for assistance **If the provider is enrolled with their Part B MAC under a Social Security Number (SSN), please contact the RRB SMAC PCC for assistance.
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Request a new Railroad Medicare PTAN for a group
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Please do not attempt to request a new Railroad Medicare PTAN for a group/practice. A group PTAN will be created when a PTAN is assigned to the first group member.
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