Overpayments

Advanced Payments to Providers

A provider may request an accelerated/advance payment where delays in payments by an A/B MAC for covered services rendered to beneficiaries have caused financial difficulties for the provider. An accelerated/advance payment may also be made in highly exceptional situations where a provider has incurred a temporary delay in its bill processing beyond the provider's normal billing cycle. A request for an accelerated/advance payment may not be approved unless the provider meets all eligibility requirements, including an assurance that recoupment of the payment will be made on a timely basis. The amount of the accelerated/advance payment is computed as a percentage (sufficient to alleviate the impaired cash position but in no case to exceed 80%) of the amount of net reimbursement represented by unbilled discharges or unpaid bills applicable to covered services rendered to beneficiaries. Accelerated/advance payments may require approval by both the A/B MAC and CMS. The CMS Regional Office may review each request for an accelerated/advance payment to assure that the accelerated/advance payment provisions are being correctly and consistently applied and to provide CMS with timely information concerning provider and A/B MAC bill processing.

To request an accelerated/advance payment, please send your request via email to the address that best fits your office/facility:

When making a request, please ensure the following are attached:

  1. Accelerated/Advance Payment Request Form
  2. Formal written request signed by authorized representative on Company Letterhead
  3. Part A and HH+H Requests Only - A cash flow statement (CMS Paper-Based Manuals Publication 15-1, Medicare PRM—Part 1, Chapter 24, Payment to Providers, Section 2412) may be required showing proof that a shortage of cash exists and they cannot meet current obligations.

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Revised 6/4/2025