The American Medical Association is asking for more flexibility and resources from the federal government for providers that continue to face disruptions from the Change Healthcare hack in late February.
In a March 11 letter to HHS and the Labor Department, AMA's CEO James Madara, MD, requested to take an "all hands on deck" approach to assisting providers and to build upon Optum and Change Healthcare's funding assistance program. CMS said March 9 it has made advance payments available to Medicare Part A providers and Part B suppliers that are experiencing financial challenges. HHS has also asked payers to give interim payments to affected providers and that prior authorization and other utilization management requirements be put on hold temporarily.
Five key AMA requests:
- The AMA is advocating for and offering to help create a list of all payers that are offering advance provider payments.
- A guarantee that Medicare Administrative Contractors and health plans are accepting paper claims, as the AMA has heard reports of difficulties submitting paper claims among providers.
- More details and support for physicians requesting expedited electronic data interchange enrollment so they can switch claims clearinghouses.
- A waiver of timely filing deadlines for claims and appeals, as many health plans enforce deadlines for claims based on the date of service.
- Pressure placed on the health information technology community to postpone service and user fees on affected physician practices.