Change Healthcare cyberattack: CMS makes advance payments available 

WASHINGTON – CMS on March 9 made available Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) accelerated payments to Part A providers and advance payments to Part B suppliers experiencing claims disruptions. 

The payments may be granted in amounts representative of up to 30 of claims payments to eligible providers and suppliers. The average 30-day payment is based on the total claims paid to the provider/supplier between Aug. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2023, divided by three. These payments will be repaid through automatic recoupment from Medicare claims for a period of 90 days. A demand will be issued for any remaining balance on day 91, following the issuance of the accelerated or advance payment.   

“CMS recognizes that providers and suppliers may face significant cash flow problems from the unusual circumstances impacting facilities’ operations, preventing facilities from submitting claims and receiving Medicare claims payments when using the Change Healthcare platform,” the agency stated. “CMS has heard these concerns and is taking direct action to support the important needs of the health care sector.”   

CMS stated all MACs will provide public information on how to submit a request for a Medicare accelerated or advance payment on their websites as early as that same day, March 9.    

The agency also stated it continues to work closely with state Medicaid programs and is urging Medicaid managed care plans to make prospective payments to impacted providers, as well. 

Additionally, CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage organizations to offer advance funding to providers most affected by the cyberattack. The rules governing the agency’s payments to MA organizations and Part D sponsors remain unchanged.   

Change Healthcare expects to begin testing and reestablishing connectivity to its claims network and software on March 18, restoring service through that week. It expects its electronic payment functionality will be available for connection beginning March 15.     

To read CMS’s statement in full, go here.