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Unsolicited/Voluntary Refunds
When Medicare identifies that an overpayment has occurred, a letter requesting a refund is sent to the provider. These letters include all the necessary beneficiary
information and reason for the request. Payment is due when the letter of request is received. If payment is not received within 30 days, interest will be applied to the outstanding balance. After 40 days, any unsatisfied refund requests will
generate an offset on the Remittance Advice (RA). Offsets to payments are shown as an adjustment from the provider’s payment at the summary level of the RA rather than as an adjustment against an individual claim.
If you do not agree that an overpayment exists, you may request an appeal. However, requesting an appeal will not delay accumulation of interest.
When a healthcare provider finds that Medicare has overpaid them, they should:
- Complete an Overpayment Refund form, attach a copy of your RA, and a check that covers the overpaid amount. Mail it to Medicare Services, P.O. Box 8075, Little Rock, AR 72203; or
- Complete a Medicare "B" Overpayment Notification form and attach a copy of your RA. Send it to your carrier’s address for Provider Inquiries. In turn you will receive a letter requesting a refund.
When a healthcare provider receives a letter from Medicare asking for a refund, they should:
- Send a copy of the letter along with a check that covers the overpaid amount to Medicare Services, P.O. Box 8075, Little Rock, AR 72203; or
- Send a copy of the letter and a completed Medicare "B" Overpayment Notification form indicating that you want the amount to be offset from future payments, to your carrier’s address for Provider Inquiries.
Note: If the amount of the unsolicited/voluntary refund check exceeds the amount of the original claim, Medicare contractors shall check all categories of open account(s) receivable. If an outstanding receivable is identified, the contractor
shall apply the remaining amount of the refund to the outstanding balance. If there are multiple outstanding accounts receivables, then the excess funds should be applied to the oldest accounts receivable first - interest then principal.
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