Duration of Appointment

270.1.5 - Duration of Appointment (Rev. 2926, Issued: 04-11-14, Effective: 07-14-14, Implementation: 07-14-14) An appointment is considered valid for 1 year from the date that the CMS-1696 or other conforming written instrument contains the signatures of both the party and appointed representative. Requiring that a new appointment be executed on a yearly basis will help ensure that there is an ongoing relationship between the party and his/her representative. Appeals for other claims may be initiated utilizing an existing appointment instrument within one year of the effective date of the appointment (i.e. the date a completed appointment instrument is signed by the party and the appointed representative). When initiating a new appeal within the one year timeframe, the representative must file a copy of the completed appointment instrument with the appeal request. Allowing the representative to use the same appointment for up to one year will help reduce the paperwork involved in representing parties. The MAC may also place information about appointment validity in provider newsletters, bulletins, educational materials, etc. The appointment remains valid throughout any and all subsequent levels of administrative appeal on the claim or claims at issue. Therefore, the representative need not secure a new appointment when proceeding to the next level of appeal on the same items, services or claim(s). This holds true regardless of the length of time it may take to resolve the appeal.