Update: As of April 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer be accepting applications through the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program. Given the infusion of additional funding to the Provider Relief Fund (see above), CMS is suspending the Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. They will additionally be reevaluating the status of all pending and new applications to the Accelerated Payment Program.

The Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) program serves as a source of cash flow for Medicare providers and suppliers impacted by national emergencies or disasters. The program has been expanded to provide payments to Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers during the COVID-19 national emergency. These accelerated payments will require repayment in full. The application, disbursement, and collection of payments will be handled by a provider or supplier’s Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).

Terms

• Qualified applicants must request a specific amount using the Accelerated or Advance Payment Request Form found on each MAC’s website
• Providers and suppliers may request up to 100% of their Medicare payment amount for a three-month period
• Inpatient acute care hospitals, children’s hospitals, and some cancer hospitals may request up to 100% of their Medicare payment for a six-month period
• Critical access hospitals (CAH) may request up to 125% of their Medicare payment for a six-month period
• MACs will process and issue payments within 7 days of receipt of request
• Repayment will begin 120 days after the payment’s issuance date
• Part A providers and Part B suppliers have 210 days from the date payment was made to repay the balance
• Inpatient acute care hospitals, children’s hospitals, some cancer hospitals, and CAHs will have 12 months from the date payment was made to repay the balance
• Once the 120-day period has ended, recoupment will begin, and provider’s/supplier’s outstanding accelerated payment balance will be reduced by these new claim payment amounts

Eligibility

• Provider or supplier has billed Medicare for claims in the 180 days prior to the date of the request
• Provider or supplier is not in bankruptcy
• Provider or supplier is not currently under medical review or program integrity investigation
• Provider or supplier does not have outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments

Questions

CMS has established COVID-19 hotlines at each Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) that are operational Monday through Friday to assist you with accelerated payment requests. Use this resource to locate your designated MAC and get in touch today.