The Do Not Forward (DNF) Initiative is a Medicare fraud prevention safeguard designed to ensure that payments and remittance advices are sent only to verified providers and suppliers. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) use "Return Service Requested" envelopes for hardcopy remittance advices. If a remittance advice is returned by the U.S. Postal Service because the address on file is not valid, the MAC is required to place a DNF flag on the provider's enrollment record. A DNF flag may also be applied when a provider's Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information is invalid or a financial institution notifies Medicare that payment cannot be deposited into the account on file.

What Happens When a DNF Flag Is Applied?

When a DNF flag is placed on a provider or supplier record:

• Medicare payments are held
• Additional remittance advices are not issued
• Funds remain on hold until enrollment information is verified and updated
• Held payments and remittance advices are released once the DNF issue is resolved and the flag is removed

What Should I Do If I Receive a DNF Flag?

Take action as soon as possible to avoid extended payment delays.

If the DNF was caused by an address issue:

• Review all addresses on your Medicare enrollment record
• Submit the appropriate enrollment change application to update any inaccurate information
• Ensure all enrollment addresses are correct, including practice location, correspondence, and special payment addresses

If the DNF was caused by an EFT issue:

• Verify your bank account and routing information
• Submit a CMS-588 Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Authorization Agreement, if required
• Provide supporting bank documentation, such as a voided check or bank letter
• Ensure your Medicare enrollment record reflects your current payment information

After Provider Enrollment certifies and updates the information, it will be forwarded to the EFT Team. Once information is approved by the EFT Team, the DNF flag will be removed and any payments held will be released.

How Can I Avoid a DNF Flag?

Providers and suppliers can help prevent payment interruptions by keeping enrollment information up to date and reporting changes promptly.

Report changes as soon as they occur, including:

• Practice location address changes
• Correspondence address changes
• Special payment address changes
• EFT or banking changes

Failure to update enrollment records may result in returned remittance advices, unsuccessful electronic payments, and placement of a DNF flag that can delay Medicare payments.