Working to increase cash flow to providers of services, including hospitals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has greatly expanded its accelerated and advance payment program for the duration of the public health emergency.
Inpatient acute care hospitals, children’s hospitals, and certain cancer hospitals can request up to 100% of the inpatient, outpatient, and pass-thru payments made during a 6-month period. While critical access hospitals can request up to 125% of all Medicare payments received during the same period. Repayments must be made within one year.
To qualify, the provider must:
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have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of the request,
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not be in bankruptcy,
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not be under active medical review or program integrity investigation and
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not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments
Requests for advances should be made through the MACs using the forms on their websites.