On March 28, CMS announced the expansion of the accelerated and advanced payment program for Medicare providers during the public health emergency related to COVID-19. Such payments are usually intended to provide necessary funds when there is a disruption in claims submission or claims processing, but they can also be offered to accelerate cash flow to impacted health care providers and suppliers in times of national emergencies or natural disasters. This expansion is part of the CARES Act, which also provides more than $100 billion in direct aid to hospitals and other providers and a 20 percent increase in Medicare reimbursement for COVID-19 hospitalizations. Providers meeting certain qualifications must follow the request submission process outlined here in order to receive accelerated or advanced payments.