The Provider Relief Fund was created by Congress under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March. Eligible health care professionals—including those who bill Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program—can receive up to 2% of their patient revenue. Relief fund payments do not need to be repaid to the U.S. government, assuming recipients comply with the terms and conditions.
The initial deadline for the second-phase distribution was June 20. In a statement on July 31, HHS Secretary Alex Azar extended the deadline to August 28, while also allowing certain health care professionals who missed the first distribution to use the August 28 deadline to apply for the second distribution. Those who missed the first distribution but are unsure of their eligibility for the second are encouraged to apply.
The agency has posted a six-step guide to applying for the fund, which provides information on determining eligibility, validating one’s tax ID number, applying for funding, receiving a payment, attesting to payment, and reporting on use of funds. HHS is holding a webinar on the relief fund today, August 13, at 3 p.m. ET. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the HHS website.
“HHS’s administration of the Provider Relief Fund has been focused on distributing funding in a way that is fast, fair, and transparent,” Azar said in the July 31 statement. “Extending the deadline for Medicaid providers and giving certain Medicare providers another shot at funding is another example of our work with providers to ensure as many as possible receive the support they need.”
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