Episode alert will provide you with a fast real-time connection to the CMS DDE system. In case your not familiar with the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) let me give you some information on what it can do for you and your business.
Before anything else, you will need to get your DDE Medicare user Id and password. Which will be provided to you by you MAC (Medical Administrative Contractor). Here is where you can find out who your MAC provider is and how to contact them: Find your MAC
Once all of that is taken care you can access the DDE system.
No, Episode Alert is simply your connection to that same familiar CMS System login screen. All vendors give you access to the same system, including Episode Alert.
You just need to have a DDE User Id from your MAC (Palmetto, NGS, CGS, First Coast, Noridian, Novitas, etc.) You use your DDE User Id to login into the DDE system.