The Advance Payment Program

CMS Announces Suspension of the Advance Payment Program

On April 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending the program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. The agency paid over $100 billion to healthcare providers and suppliers through this program, which was expanded on March 28. CMS will not be accepting any new applications, and CMS will be reevaluating all pending and new applications considering the direct payments being made through the Provider Relief Fund.

For an updated fact sheet on the Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs, click here.

For more information on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and how to apply, visit here.

April 16, 2020

CMS Announcement of Expansion of Accelerated and Advance Payment Program

On March 28th, CMS announced an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare participating providers and suppliers due to the financial hardships and challenges providers are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS specifically highlights the disruption to the health care industry, including the delay of non-essential surgeries and procedures and the disruption to billing.

Accelerated and advance Medicare payments, which are typically offered in natural disasters, provide emergency funding and addresses cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is a disruption in claims submission and/or claims processing. Due to the pandemic, CMS is expanding the program for all Medicare providers throughout the country during this public health emergency. The payments can be requested by hospitals, doctors, durable medical equipment suppliers and other Medicare Part A and Part B providers and suppliers. Learn more.

April 16, 2020

Medicare's COVID-19 Advanced Payment Program: Frequently Asked Questions

As a result of the quick rollout of the program, there are many questions regarding the procedure to apply for and obtain the funds, as well as the timeline and specifics for recoupment.

Recently, the AMA met with CMS senior officials to raise these questions. Here are the answers provided by CMS. We will continue to work with the AMA, the medical community, and CMS to improve the program – including extending the timelines and waiving the interest if loan not recouped in 210 days.

April 16, 2020

WEBINAR - MEDICARE’s COVID-19 Advance Payment Program: Frequently Asked Questions

The CARES Act provided the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with expanded authority to make available advance payments to physicians to assist during the COVID-19 emergency. As a result of the quick rollout of the program, there are many questions regarding the procedure to apply for and obtain the funds, as well as the timeline and specifics for recoupment. Recently, the AMA met with CMS senior officials to raise these questions, many of them provided to the AMA by ASCRS and ASOA. Join Nancey McCann, ASCRS Director of Government Relations, for a review of the answers. Watch the webinar replay.

CMS Clarification on Advance Payment Interest

During a meeting with the AMA yesterday, CMS confirmed there’s no fee or interest for the advance payment during the 210 days after the advance, including the 120 days before recoupment begins and during the 90-day recoupment. Interest does start if there’s still debt after that timeline and the physician enters into an extended repayment process. The interest is set at a statutory rate, which is 10.25% right now. CMS is talking to its counsel about any flexibility they have, but the medical community may have to go to Congress.

We expect the AMA to release further guidance on this issue – as well as others that were raised in their meeting, and we will provide the information to you when available.

Medicare's COVID-19 Advance Payment Program

The CARES Act provided the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with expanded authority to make available advance payments to physicians to assist during the COVID-19 emergency. As a result of the quick rollout of the program, there are many questions regarding the procedure to apply for and obtain the funds, as well as the timeline and specifics for recoupment.

Recently, the AMA met with CMS senior officials to raise these questions.  Below are the answers provided by CMS.  We will continue to work with the AMA, the medical community, and CMS to improve the program.

View the CMS Answers