CMS urged to delay repayment of accelerated payments

Six national organizations representing hospitals, including the AHA, today urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to delay the start of repayments associated with the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs. The first hospitals and health systems to receive accelerated payments are scheduled to start repaying them soon.

“While there will be efforts to make improvements to AAP as part of the next COVID-19 relief package, Congress may not have this legislation completed until after Aug. 1, and we therefore ask that CMS delay the start of the repayments until legislators have the opportunity to make changes to the programs,” the groups wrote. “We urge you to promptly exercise the authority available to CMS to adjust the repayment schedule to allow our facilities to respond to COVID-19, plan for the future and continue to provide the vital care expected by our patients and our communities.”

In addition to AHA, the letter was signed by America’s Essential Hospitals, the Association of American Medical Colleges, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Federation of American Hospitals, and National Association for Behavioral Healthcare.