The Accelerated and Advanced Payments (AAP) Program, established to mitigate the impact of the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD), will conclude tomorrow, July 12, 2024. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have designated a 120-day exception period for initiating open negotiation for any item or service furnished on or after January 1, 2024, impacted by the Change Healthcare cybersecurity incident through October 12, 2024.
What You Should Know:
- Financial Relief Provided: Over 4,200 Part A providers received accelerated payments totaling more than $2.55 billion. Additionally, 4,722 CHOPD advance payments were issued to Part B suppliers, totaling over $717.18 million.
- Recovery Status: CMS has already recovered over 96% of payments.
- Application Deadline: No new CHOPD accelerated or advance payment applications will be accepted after July 12, 2024. Providers experiencing difficulties should contact Change Healthcare or their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for assistance.
New Flexibilities for Initiating Open Negotiations
The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have also announced significant flexibilities for providers whose ability to timely initiate open negotiation for any item or service furnished on or after January 1, 2024, was impacted by the Change Healthcare cybersecurity incident.
What You Should Know:
- Extended Period for Open Negotiations: Providers can initiate open negotiations for items or services through October 12, 2024.
- Eligibility: To take advantage of this exception period, providers must attest that the cybersecurity incident impacted their ability to timely initiate open negotiations.
- Scope: This flexibility applies regardless of when the payment, notice of denial of payment, and disclosures were transmitted.
Providers, facilities, and providers of air ambulance services must furnish an attestation alongside the standard open negotiation initiation form. This attestation confirms that the cybersecurity incident impacted their ability to initiate open negotiation.