[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR401.607]

[Page 20-21]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                    CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE
                          & MEDICAID SERVICES,
                        DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 401_GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart F_Claims Collection and Compromise
 
Sec. 401.607  Claims collection.

    (a) General policy. CMS recovers amounts of claims due from debtors, 
including interest where appropriate, by--
    (1) Direct collections in lump sums or in installments; or
    (2) Offsets against monies owed to the debtor by the Federal 
government where possible.
    (b) Collection in lump sums. Whenever possible, CMS attempts to 
collect claims in full in one lump sum. However, if CMS determines that 
a debtor is unable to pay the claim in one lump sum, CMS may instead 
enter into an agreement to accept regular installment payments.
    (c) Collection in installments. Generally, CMS requires that all 
claims to be satisfied by installment payments must be liquidated in 
three years or less. If unusual circumstances exist, such as the 
possibility of debtor insolvency, an installment agreement that extends 
beyond three years may be approved.
    (1) Debtor request. If a debtor desires to repay a claim in 
installments, the debtor must submit--
    (i) A request to CMS; and
    (ii) Any information required by CMS to make a decision regarding 
the request.
    (2) CMS decision. CMS will determine the number, amount and 
frequency of

[[Page 21]]

installment payments based on the information submitted by the debtor 
and on other factors such as--
    (i) Total amount of the claim;
    (ii) Debtor's ability to pay; and
    (iii) Cost to CMS of administering an installment agreement.
    (d) Collection by offset. (1) CMS may offset, where possible, the 
amount of a claim against the amount of pay, compensation, benefits or 
other monies that a debtor is receiving or is due from the Federal 
government.
    (2) Under regulations at Sec. 405.350--405.358 of this chapter, CMS 
may initiate adjustments in program payments to which an individual is 
entitled under title II of the Act (Federal Old Age, Survivors, and 
Disability Insurance Benefits) or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 
1974 (45 U.S.C. 231) to recover Medicare overpayments.

[48 FR 39064, Aug. 29, 1983, as amended at 61 FR 49271, Sept. 19, 1996; 
61 FR 63748, Dec. 2, 1996]