The federal government has announced an additional tranche of $20 billion in COVID relief funding for certain medical providers as part of a Phase 3 General Distributions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is encouraging all providers who believe they are eligible for the funds to apply as soon as possible to expedite their review and payments.
Phase 3 is targeted for providers who may have already received CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments and are looking to supplement the approximately 2 percent of revenues they have already received in anticipation of further revenue declines.
At this time it is our understanding the funding will not be distributed until after the application deadline of November 6 and HHS has the opportunity to review applications and calculate payments. Any funds not used to bring providers up to a 2 percent of revenue level will then be distributed in the form of an “equitable add-on payment” based on:
- A provider’s or practice’s decrease in patient care revenues
- A provider’s or practice’s increase in operating expenses from patient care (includes expenses incurred related to COVID)
- Payments received through the previous PRF funding rounds
Depending on geography, various private physician practices and dentists continue to see declined volumes and depressed financials. As well, facility and living assistance providers continue to encounter decreased censuses and revenue. While the deadline for applications is November 6, we are encouraging providers who continue to see decreases in patient-related revenue or increases in patient-related expenses to consider applying for the additional relief as soon as possible.
Should you have any questions on this round of PRF funding or previous rounds, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our HBK Healthcare Solutions team.
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