Act Now! HHS Announces Additional CARES Act Funding for Providers

On October 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an additional $20 billion allocation from the CARES Act COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF).

Under this Phase 3 General Distribution allocation, providers that have already received PRF payments are invited to apply for additional funding that considers financial losses and changes in operating expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility

  • Providers who previously received, rejected or accepted a General Distribution Provider Relief Fund payment. Providers that have already received payments of approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care may submit more information to become eligible for an additional payment.
  • Behavioral health providers, including those that previously received funding and new providers.
  • Healthcare providers that began practicing January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, dentists, assisted living facilities and behavioral health providers.

Application Methodology

All provider submissions will be reviewed to confirm they have received a Provider Relief Fund payment equal to approximately 2 percent of patient care revenue from prior general distributions. Applicants that have not yet received Relief Fund payments of 2 percent of patient revenue will receive a payment that, when combined with prior payments (if any), equals 2 percent of patient care revenue.

With the remaining balance of the $20 billion budget, HRSA will then calculate an equitable add-on payment that considers the following:

  • A provider’s change in operating revenues from patient care
  • A provider’s change in operating expenses from patient care, including expenses incurred related to coronavirus
  • Payments already received through prior Provider Relief Fund distributions

Apply early! Applications for Phase 3 General Distribution funding will be accepted from October 5, 2020 through November 6, 2020.

More Information

HHS news release
HHS Provider Relief Fund Links and FAQs