On March 28, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded the current Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to a broader group of Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers. This program expansion, which includes changes from the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and the Economic Security (CARES) Act, is one way CMS is working to lessen the financial hardships of providers facing extraordinary challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensures the nation’s providers can focus on patient care.
Eligibility qualifications state the provider/supplier must:
- Have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of signature on the provider’s/supplier’s request form
- Not be in bankruptcy
- Not be under active medical review or program integrity investigation
- Not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments
Medicare will start accepting and processing the Accelerated/Advance Payment Requests immediately. CMS anticipates that the payments will be issued within seven days of the provider’s request.
Access CMS’ step by step guide for eligibility and processes here.
