Eyeworld

N EWS 24 | EYEWORLD | MAY 2020 COVID-19 NEWS YOU CAN USE Questions on the Advance Payment Program During the webinar, Ms. McCann addressed qualifications for these payments. To qualify, a provider or supplier must have billed Medicare for claims within 180 days immediately prior to the date of signature on the provider's/suppli- er's request form; they must not be in bank- ruptcy; they must not be under active medical review or program integrity investigation; and they must not have any outstanding delinquent Medicare overpayments. With the quick rollout, Ms. McCann said many questions have emerged regarding pro- cedures to apply, obtaining funds, timelines, specifics for recoupment, and more. ASCRS and other medical specialties raised several questions, which were answered in a meeting between CMS and the American Medical Asso- ciation (AMA). Process for requests Ms. McCann first addressed the process for requests from the physician's Medicare ad- ministrative contractor (MAC). Because the advance payments are rarely used, MACs have been using existing request forms, which can be confusing, Ms. McCann said. There is the possibility of creating a standardized form. There's no need to answer the financial ques- tions, such as anticipated receipts, expenditures, T he passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included the expanded authority for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program to provide funds to Medicare providers/suppliers during the pandemic. This is one of several financial relief programs that was part of the Act. The expanded Accelerated and Advance Payment Program is authorized during a period of a public health emergency when there is a disruption in claims submission or claims processing. These are loans and have to be paid back. During an early April webinar about the Advance Payment Program, ASCRS Director of Government Relations Nancey McCann provided clarifying information on the funds available to physicians through this program. Since the time of the webinar, CMS announced on April 26 that it is reevaluating the amounts to be paid under this program and is suspending the program to Part B suppliers. CMS will not be accepting any new applications at this time. Concerns with this program are the time- lines and potentially exorbitant interest rates if the loan is not recouped within 210 days. ASCRS and the medical community are working to extend the timelines, as well as eliminate the interest as part of the next COVID-19 relief package. Questions answered on the Advance Payment Program and information on other government resources for COVID-19 relief for physicians continued on page 26 "Concerns with this program are the timelines and potentially exorbitant interest rates if the loan is not recouped within 210 days. ASCRS and the medical community are working to extend the timelines, as well as eliminate the interest as part of the next COVID-19 relief package."

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