How can we do Immediate Offset Requests

Beginning July 1, 2012, a new, standard immediate offset process was implemented for all Part A providers, Home Health & Hospice providers and all Part B physicians and other suppliers. This new process allows you to request an immediate offset each time you receive a demanded overpayment or you can make a permanent request for all future demanded overpayments.

You can elect the immediate offset process to avoid making a payment by check and/or avoid the assessment of interest if the immediate offset satisfies the overpayment in full before aging 31 days from the initial demand. Recoupments that are associated with an immediate offset are considered a voluntary repayment of a debt.

An immediate offset request will be processed as soon as possible; however, this request does not guarantee that interest will not accrue on the overpayment. To eliminate the risk of interest accruing, your request should be submitted as soon as possible after being notified of the debt as interest automatically accrues 31 days from the date of the initial demand letter. To ensure timely processing, your request must be received in writing no later than 16 days from the date of the initial demanded overpayment. To assist in this process you can use the appropriate form below:

Please keep in mind that immediate offset requests can only be honored if there are pending payments in the Medicare claims processing system from which to offset. If there is an insufficient amount of pending payments to satisfy the overpayment, interest may accrue.

    To request an immediate offset for an established account receivable, fax a copy of the first page of your demand letter and a copy of the overpayment detail listing showing the account receivable number(s) to be placed in immediate offset status.
        Indicate 'IMMEDIATE OFFSET' either on the demand letter or on the fax cover sheet
        Include a copy of the first page of the overpayment demand letter you received, as well as the detail pages showing the Account Receivable/Invoice Number
        Include a copy of the spreadsheet identifying the claims included in the overpayment (if one was received)
        The printed contact name and signature of the person requesting the immediate offset should also be included on the fax cover sheet
        The contact person should be authorized to make the financial decision to request an immediate offset from future Medicare funds due to your office
        Please include the authorized person’s telephone number should there be questions that require follow-up
    To request immediate offset for all existing and future accounts receivable, please complete, sign and fax the appropriate form and please fax your requests to the appropriate fax number.

You can choose to stop participating in the immediate offset process at any time by submitting a written request. Please keep in mind that by requesting immediate offset, you are waiving your rights to the provisions of Section 935 of the Medicare Modernization Act, which states that Medicare contractors must cease withholding if a valid redetermination and/or reconsideration have been filed. Additionally, you are waiving potential receipt of interest payment pursuant to Section 1893(f)(2) for overpayments. Note: such interest may be payable for certain overpayments reversed at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level or subsequent levels of appeal.

The Immediate Offset option is not available for voluntary/self-disclosed overpayments. Note: The above fax numbers are only for immediate offsets. You may choose to send your request in writing to the appropriate address below:

Jurisdiction 11

J11 Home Health & Hospice Providers

J11 MAC - Palmetto GBA, LLC
Medicare Part A Finance and Accounting
P.O. Box 100277
Columbia, SC 29202-3277

State	Part B	Part A
North Carolina	Palmetto GBA - J11 Part B   Finance & Accounting Mail Code: AG-340              P.O. Box 100246                                            Columbia, SC 29202-3246	J11 MAC - Palmetto GBA, LLC Medicare Part A Finance and Accounting P.O. Box 100278 Columbia, SC 29202-3278
South Carolina	Palmetto GBA - J11 Part B Finance & Accounting Mail Code: AG-340 P.O. Box 100280 Columbia, SC 29202-3280	J11 MAC - Palmetto GBA, LLC Medicare Part A Finance and Accounting P.O. Box 100277 Columbia, SC 29202-3277
Virginia	Palmetto GBA - J11 Part B Finance & Accounting Mail Code: AG-340 P.O. Box 100240 Columbia, SC 29202-3240	J11 MAC - Palmetto GBA, LLC Medicare Part A Finance and Accounting P.O. Box 100277 Columbia, SC 29202-3277
West Virginia	Palmetto GBA - J11 Part B Finance & Accounting Mail Code: AG-340 P.O. Box 100128 Columbia, SC 29202-3128	J11 MAC - Palmetto GBA, LLC Medicare Part A Finance and Accounting P.O. Box 100277 Columbia, SC 29202-3277