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 for hospitals and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B providers and suppliers effective immediately. Last month CMS expanded the programs which allow hospitals and providers to receive an advance on Medicare payments to help with cash-flow issues due to COVID-19 related revenue disruptions. Under the programs, the payment amount advanced would to be recouped from future claims payments.
Effective April 26, CMS ceased accepting new applications for the Advance Payment Program for Part B providers, and the agency will be reevaluating all pending and new applications for Accelerated Payments for hospitals. For more information see the CMS communication. We do not know at this time the impact on timing or accelerated payment amounts. We will provide more information as it becomes available. (Andrew Busz, andrewb@wsha.org)
