If you’re confused by all of the emails you’re getting from HHS regarding the Provider Relief Funds, you’re not alone! Since the CARES Act was signed into law in late March, there have been scores of questions regarding its implementation and reporting requirements, and the answers seem to change on a regular basis.
We are constantly watching the guidance coming out of HHS and are happy to provide you with the facts…what you need to know to navigate the Provider Relief Fund maze. While this is a fluid and ever changing situation, we will continue to monitor the FAQs and new announcements, and report on them as needed. Please visit the HW&Co. Current Events Center on our website for additional resources or reach out to your HW Healthcare Advisor with any questions you may have.
Phase 2 General Distribution Application Deadline Extended to September 13, 2020
The Phase 2 General Distribution application deadline has been extended to September 13, 2020. This application is for Medicaid, CHIP, and Dental Providers. In addition, it provides a “second chance” for certain Medicare Providers, including those that had a change of ownership, to apply for General Distribution funding.
Many providers have already filed this application but there are still many that are eligible for additional funds that have not applied. Following are some of the situations that a Phase 2 application should be filed:
- You are a Medicaid, CHIP or Dental provider that did not receive any Phase 1 General Distribution funds.
- Your Phase 1 General Distribution payments did not equal 2% of the net patient revenues from your most recently filed tax return.
- You did not receive a Phase 1 General Distribution payments due to a change of ownership.
- Your March and April 2020 lost revenue due to COVID-19 was in excess of 2% of your net patient revenue from your most recently filed tax return.
- If you received Phase 1 General Distribution funds but did not previously submit tax forms or financial statements, then you will be in violation of the Terms and Conditions for payment until you submit the Phase 2 application.
The Phase 2 application is available on the enhanced provider relief portal. Our June 29, 2020 article provides details on how to apply. At the time of publication, the portal was only for the Medicaid, CHIP and Dental providers but on August 10, 2020 it was expanded to also include the “second chance” providers.
Please contact your HW Healthcare Advisor if you need assistance.
Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution – $2.5 Billion Released
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) previously announced the distribution of $5 billion in PRF payments to eligible skilled nursing facilities to protect residents from the impact of COVID-19. Currently, HHS is distributing an initial $2.5 billion of this funding to support facilities’ COVID-19 infection control efforts, including by conducting appropriate testing, acquiring necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), investing in staff, and establishing COVID-19 isolation facilities. Eligible facilities will receive a per-facility payment of $10,000 plus a per-bed payment of $1,450 in this initial distribution. Be on the lookout as the amount will appear in your bank accounts via Optum Bank with “CARES Act NH Pmt*HHS-GOV” in the payment description. The balance of this $5 billion in funding will be distributed at a later time based on nursing home performance in improving safety and minimizing COVID-19 spread and COVID-19 related fatalities among residents. As with other PRF payments, within 90 days of receiving this payment, you must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of payment. Should you choose to reject the funds, you must also complete the attestation to indicate this.
Provider Relief Fund First Reporting Deadline February 15, 2021
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued long-awaited reporting requirements for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients that received one or more payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate from the General or Targeted Distributions. The detailed instructions regarding these reports, originally scheduled to be released by August 17, 2020, have been delayed. For more details, read this article.
Ohio Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF)
Ohio providers are beginning to see payments from the Ohio CRF. According to the Office of Budget and Management (OBM), there have been some problems processing applications and most of these problems derive from the data OBM received from the Department of Medicaid (ODM). Contact CRFprovider@obm.ohio.gov if you have applied and not yet received email communications. If you have not yet applied, please see our article on how to apply for CRF funding.
Disclaimer: This information is subject to change and is based upon our current understanding as of the issue date. This is a constantly evolving process as HHS has been issuing new or changed guidance on a frequent basis.
