Medicare Payment Advances

April 3, 2020

On March 28, 2020, CMS announced an expansion of its accelerated and advance payment program for Medicare participating health care providers and suppliers, to help ensure that they have the resources needed to combat COVID-19. This expansion, based on changes from the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides emergency funding and addresses cash flow issues based on historical payments when there is disruption in claims submission or claims processing. The payments can be requested by eligible hospitals, doctors, and other providers and suppliers by contacting their individual Medicare Administrative Contractor. The CMS clarified in its March 31, 2020 National Stakeholders Call with Administrator Seema Verma, that the accelerated and advance payments are not subsidies and will be recouped through a review and reconciliation process for subsequently filed claims.