Healthcare Data GlossaryProvider
PECOS: Definition and Healthcare Context
Full name: Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System
The Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) is the CMS enrollment database for Medicare providers and suppliers. PECOS stores enrollment records for practitioners, group practices, and suppliers who have applied to participate in Medicare. The system records enrollment status, effective dates, practice locations, and reassignment of billing rights. The PECOS Public Extract (PPEF) is a periodically released public file enabling external verification of Medicare enrollment status by NPI.
Last updated: 2026-06-17Reviewed by: Dr. Jennifer Montecillo, MD — Gullas College of Medicine, 2019. Non-practicing medical reviewer.
How it’s used
- CMS PECOS Medicare Provider Enrollment: the PPEF file provides Medicare enrollment status, enrollment type, and practice state for all active Medicare enrollees.
- CMS NPPES NPI Registry: NPPES and PECOS are joined via NPI to correlate Medicare enrollment with provider taxonomy and address data.
- CMS QPP MIPS: MIPS eligibility determination references PECOS enrollment to confirm a provider participates in Medicare fee-for-service.
Frequently asked questions
- What does PECOS stand for?
- PECOS stands for Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System — CMS's database for Medicare provider and supplier enrollment records.
- Is PECOS data public?
- A public extract (PPEF) is released periodically by CMS, covering active Medicare enrollment status, NPI, and practice information.
- How is PECOS different from NPPES?
- NPPES assigns and maintains NPIs for all health care providers. PECOS tracks which of those providers are actively enrolled in Medicare.
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