CMS announced amended terms for payments issued under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program as required by recent action by President Trump and Congress. This Medicare loan program allows CMS to make advance payments to providers, which are typically used in emergency situations. Under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, repayment will now begin one year from the issuance date of each provider or supplier’s accelerated or advance payment. CMS issued $106 billion in payments to providers and suppliers in order to alleviate the financial burden health care providers faced while experiencing cash flow issues in the early stages of combating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.

Repayment and Reconciliation A provider or supplier may repay their accelerated or advance payment at any time by contacting their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). If such payment is repaid in full, the repayment terms below will not apply. If any balance remains as to an accelerated or advance payment, pursuant to the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, repayment terms are as follows:

• Repayment does not begin for one year starting from the date the accelerated or advance payment was issued.
• Beginning at one year from the date the payment was issued and continuing for eleven (11) months, Medicare payments owed to providers and suppliers will be recouped at a rate of 25%.
• After the eleven (11) months end, Medicare payments owed to providers and suppliers will be recouped at a rate of 50% for another six (6) months.
• After the six (6) months end, a letter for any remaining balance of the accelerated or advance payment(s) will be issued.

For full release and more information, click here.

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