Immediate Recoupment Request Instructions

The Payment Recovery department of WPS offers providers a process to have demanded overpayments immediately recouped from their Medicare payments. Providers can elect this process to avoid making payment by check and/or avoid the assessment of interest if the immediate recoupment pays the debt in full before day 31. A request for immediate recoupment is considered a voluntary repayment agreement; if a 935-appeal is received after a request for immediate recoupment, the recoupment will not be stopped.

What providers need to know about immediate recoupment:

  • WPS provides an "Immediate Recoupment Request Form" to make it easier for providers to request immediate recoupment. The form is not required; however, providers are encouraged to use the form to ensure all of the necessary information is included with the request.
  • Fax, email or mail the form - see the Immediate Recoupment Request instructions on the forms tab of the website for detailed information.
  • A separate request is required for each PTAN.
  • There are two options for immediate recoupment:
    • A one-time request for the current overpayment and/or all future overpayments; or
    • A request on a specific overpayment addressed in a demand letter.
  • The information listed on the "Immediate Recoupment Request Form" is required. Failure to provide the necessary information could delay processing of the request or result in the request being returned.
  • Requests for immediate recoupment will be processed within 10 business days of receipt.
  • Immediate recoupment of all future overpayments may be discontinued at any time by submitting a request in writing.
    • Requests to discontinue the immediate recoupment of all future overpayments will be processed within 10 business days.
    • After the request is processed, recoupment of future overpayments will begin on the 41st day after the date of the demand letter unless the overpayment is satisfied in full, a valid and timely rebuttal is received, a valid and timely 935-appeal is received or a valid and timely request for an extended repayment plan is received.
  • By signing the request, the provider certifies that they understand they are waiving potential receipt of interest payment pursuant to Section 1893(f)(2) for the overpayments. NOTE: Such interest may be payable for certain overpayments reversed at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level or subsequent levels of appeal.
  • If there is a remaining principal balance after the initial recoupment, recoupment will continue until the debt is satisfied.
  • Any recoupment occurring more than 30 days after an appeal decision by the Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC) will not be considered as voluntary payment.
  • Providers will continue to receive demand letters after requests for immediate recoupment of all future overpayments are processed, per CMS policy. Additional requests for immediate recoupment are unnecessary; WPS will mail a confirmation letter when the request has been processed.
  • Providers will be notified of recoupments on their remittance advice (RA). The recoupment will appear at the bottom of the RA as a "WO" followed by a Financial Control Number (FCN); the FCN is the invoice number that the recoupment was taken for.
  • Providers are responsible for tracking which invoice a recoupment applies to by comparing the RA with the recoupment to the demand letter.
  • Recoupment will begin no earlier than 16 days from the date of the demand letter. This is to allow providers time to file a rebuttal.
  • Do not include additional attachments with the immediate recoupment request.
  • Do not include any Personal Health Information (PHI) or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) with the immediate recoupment request.

Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 17-Apr-2013 15:03:08 CDT