In order to help physicians and other providers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded its Accelerated and Advance Payment Program for the duration of the public health emergency. CMS is authorized to provide accelerated or advance payments during the period of the public health emergency to any Medicare physician, provider or supplier who submits a request to the appropriate Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) and meets the required qualifications. This is also included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
For the full article, visit https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cares-act-medicare-advance-payments-covid-19-emergency or download the pdf here.
Medicare’s COVID-19 advance payment program FAQs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued information about new availability of advance payments to physicians to help during the COVID-19 emergency within 24 hours of receiving expanded authority under the CARES Act. The program’s speedy rollout led to questions about how to obtain the funds and what strings may be attached. The following answers are based on AMA discussion with senior CMS officials. The AMA will continue working with CMS to try and improve the program.