CMS Pub. 100-06, ch. 4, § 10.1

Listed below are the general timeframes for most overpayment debt collection activities. There may

be instances, due to specific circumstances related to the debt, where these timeframes will not apply.

Timeframes (Based on

Date of Demand Letter) Medicare Contractor

Day 1

The accounts receivable (AR) is created, the

initial demand letter sent. Contractors shall

ensure that the dates for establishing the AR,

creating the demand letter and mailing the letter

are the same.

Day 15 Deadline for provider rebuttal request. A

rebuttal does not delay recoupment.

Day 16 Immediate Recoupment, if requested by the

provider starts by day 16.

Day 16

Recoupment shall begin for overpayments not

subject to Limitation on Recoupment

provisions of Section 935 (f)(2) of the MMA

unless the debt is in an excluded category (ERS

Request, an approved ERS, appeal or

bankruptcy).

Day 31 Interest shall begin to accrue if overpayment is

not paid in full by day 30.

Day 41

If not paid in full by day 40, recoupment begins

for overpayments subject to Limitation on

Recoupment provisions of Section 935(f)(2) of

the MMA unless in an excluded category (ERS

Request, an approved ERS, appeal or

bankruptcy).

Day 90

The contractor shall attempt to contact the

provider by telephone if the debt is 60 days

delinquent and not in a status excluded from

referral to Treasury.

Day 61-90 The contractor shall send the ITR on eligible

delinquent debts.

Day 126-150 Eligible delinquent debt shall be referred to

Treasury.

At least 7 days prior to

referral to Treasury

The contractor shall make a second call to the

provider before the debt is referred to Treasury.

Prior to Referral to

Treasury (DME Only)

The DME contractor shall follow instructions

in IOM Pub. 100-8, Chapter 15, related to

surety bond collection requirements.