MGMA-supported APP fixes signed into law
This week, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through Dec. 11, 2020. The CR, which was signed into law early this morning, also contains important revisions to the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments program (APP), improving harsh repayment terms that could have resulted in loan recoupment at a time when groups are still experiencing cash flow issues. As a result of MGMA advocacy, the CR:
- Postpones the recoupment of disbursed funds until 365 days after the advance payment has been issued to a physician practice;
- Extends the repayment timeline so that the loan balance is not due until September 2022;
- Reduces the per-claim recoupment amount from 100 percent to 25 percent for the first 11 months and then 50 percent of claims withheld for an additional six months; and
- Lowers the interest rate from 10.25 percent to 4 percent for loans not repaid in full by September 2022.
MGMA calls for delay of information blocking enforcement
MGMA joined seven leading healthcare organizations urging the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to delay enforcement of the information blocking regulations. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition called on ONC to extend enforcement discretion by a minimum of one year to help ensure providers have adequate time to prepare their organizations for the new requirements. The coalition also called for any extension to be harmonized with information blocking attestation responsibilities under the Promoting Interoperability component of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. To learn more about the information blocking final rule, download this member-benefit resource.
