The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a second extension of the application period for Medicaid and CHIP providers to apply for payments from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The new deadline for applications is Friday, August 28.
Further, HHS announced that starting on August 10, providers who received automatic payments from the general distribution (the initial $30 billion from the PRF that HHS distributed based on Medicare FFS utilization) and did not apply to receive additional funds at that time will be given another opportunity to apply. This reopened application period will last from August 10 to August 28. This should allow providers who received nominal payments to apply and receive the intended total payment of two percent of net patient revenue.
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released a Fact Sheet for Medicaid and CHIP Providers that is now available on the Provider Relief Fund website.
A recording of a June 25 webcast is available here.
In order to better address provider’s most important concerns, HRSA has updated their FAQs to address common questions, including those submitted during the previous webcasts. The FAQs include expanded information on eligibility, application, payment process, and more.
Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Instructions and the Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Application Form are available at hhs.gov/providerrelief. HRSA recommends downloading and reviewing these documents to help providers complete the process through the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal.
For additional information, please call the Provider Support Line at (866) 569-3522; for TTY, dial 711. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Service staff members are available to provide real-time technical assistance, as well as service and payment support.
AHCCCS has determined that some providers have submitted their Provider Relief Fund applications using the incorrect ID number.
When submitting, providers are advised to use their Service/Rendering Provider NPI(s) (for example, the primary clinic ID) NOT their Billing Provider ID numbers.
Using the Billing Provider ID could result in the application being denied.
Upcoming Webinar Monday, July 27, 3 p.m. ET: Providers are invited to attend “Getting Started with the Provider Relief Fund for Medicaid, CHIP, and Dental Providers” webinar to learn about the application. Register to reserve your spot
Providers have asked AHCCCS for guidance as to the attestation requirements for HRSA funding, in particular related to the statement "...the Recipient certifies that it provides or provided after January 31, 2020 diagnoses, testing, or care for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19….”
According to HHS, “providers are eligible only if they provide or provided after January 31, 2020, diagnoses, testing or care for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19. HHS broadly views every patient as a possible case of COVID.”
Please refer to HHS Frequently Asked Questions under the Terms and Conditions category.
HHS Announces Relief Fund Distributions for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid & CHIP Providers
On June 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced additional distributions from the Provider Relief Fund to eligible Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs.
HHS expects to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution. HHS also announced the distribution of $10 billion in Provider Relief Funds to safety net hospitals that serve our most vulnerable citizens. The safety net distribution will occur this week.
To be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements: 1. must not have received payment from the $50 billion General Distribution; and 2. must have directly billed Medicaid for healthcare-related services during the period of January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, or (ii) own (on the application date) an included subsidiary that has billed Medicaid for healthcare-related services during the period of January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019; and 3. must have either (i) filed a federal income tax return for fiscal years 2017, 2018 or 2019 or (ii) be an entity exempt from the requirement to file a federal income tax return and have no beneficial owner that is required to file a federal income tax return. (e.g. a state-owned hospital or healthcare clinic); and 4. must have provided patient care after January 31, 2020; and 5. must not have permanently ceased providing patient care directly, or indirectly through included subsidiaries; and 6. if the applicant is an individual, have gross receipts or sales from providing patient care reported on Form 1040, Schedule C, Line 1, excluding income reported on a W-2 as a (statutory) employee.
HHS has published more information on the provider relief fund website including:
