CMS Maintains Hold on Medicare Claim Payments

This article was updated Oct. 16 with additional information from CMS.

As a result of the continuation of the federal government shutdown, CMS directed Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) Oct. 15, to continue to hold payment for certain Medicare claims with dates of service on or after Oct. 1. The hold impacts select physician fee schedule claims impacted by expired provisions (e.g. Geographic Practice Cost Indices), ground ambulance transport claims, and all Federally Qualified Health Center claims.

CMS indicated providers may continue to submit claims and claims not impacted by expired provisions will be processed and paid as they pass the statutorily required 14 day payment floor.

ACR® continually monitors Congress and federal agencies for shutdown-related news that affects radiologists, patients and radiology as a whole. The College updates its shutdown webpage as news develops.

For more information or if you have questions about the hold on Medicare payments, contact Katie Keysor, ACR Senior Director, Economic Policy.