Provider Transaction Access Number Guidance

Published 07/01/2025

The Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN) is often referred to as a Medicare Provider Number, Medicare Billing Number, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN), or Medicare "legacy" number—is a generic term for any number other than the National Provider Identifier (NPI) that is used by a provider to bill the Medicare program.

Providers will need this number for authentication when calling the Provider Contact Center (PCC) and for all correspondence as a Medicare provider. This is because the PTAN verifies the identity of all providers authorized to receive the requested information. Medicare Part A providers and suppliers are issued a six-digit PTAN:

  • The first two digits identify the state in which the provider is located
  • The last four digits identify the type of facility, sequentially, from within the appropriate CCN range

For more information, navigate to State Operations Manual, Section 2779A1 — CCN for Medicare Providers (PDF).

PTAN and NPI Relationship

While only the NPI is submitted on claims, the PTAN is a critical number directly linked to a provider’s or supplier's NPI. The use of a PTAN should generally be limited to a provider's communication with their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). According to CMS’s Medicare Enrollment Application (PDF):

"The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is the standard unique health identifier for health care providers and suppliers and is assigned by the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). Medicare healthcare providers, except for organ procurement organizations, must obtain an NPI prior to enrolling in Medicare or before submitting a change to your existing Medicare enrollment information. Applying for an NPI is a process separate from Medicare enrollment.”

Applicable or Non-Applicable Multiple PTANs

Palmetto GBA may determine and issue more than one PTAN, depending only upon the reasonable charge locality of a provider’s practice locations. Unless the reasonable charge locality changes, additional PTANs will not be assigned.

Ineligible Medicare PTAN

Requests for a denial-only letter are no longer accepted. Providers that are not eligible for a Medicare number must have the beneficiary submit the CMS-1490S form.

Deactivated PTANs

Medicare is mandated by CMS to deactivate PTANs not being used. The deactivation process occurs every month. A provider's PTAN is deactivated when he or she has not billed the Medicare program for four consecutive quarters. A PTAN is given an end date when it is deactivated, meaning claims can get submitted prior to the end date within a year of the service date.

Find My PTAN

There are two options to find a provider’s PTAN.

  1. Notification Letter: The MAC will issue a notification/approval letter with the PTAN once the provider's enrollment is approved.
     
  2. Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS): Internet-based PECOS is the most efficient way to find a PTAN. Follow these simple steps to find PTANs in PECOS.
    • Log in to PECOS
    • Select "My Associates" on the PECOS home page
    • Select "View Enrollments" by applicable individual or organizational enrollment
    • Click on "View Medicare ID Report"
    • PTAN(s) are listed in the Medicare ID column

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