Catalyzes the translocation of specific phospholipids from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular/lumenal leaflet of membrane coupled to the hydrolysis of ATP. Thereby, participates in phospholipid transfer to apoliproteins to form nascent high density lipoproteins/HDLs . Transports preferentially phosphatidylcholine over phosphatidylserine. May play a similar role in the efflux of intracellular cholesterol to apoliproteins and the formation of nascent high density lipoproteins/HDLs.