HHS Announces "Phase 3" Provider Relief Fund Distribution Opportunity
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that $20 billion in new funding for providers, including eligible dentists, would be available in a Phase 3 General Distribution from the Provider Relief Fund created under the CARES Act.
Eligible dentists can apply for funds from October 5 through November 6. Dentists will need to submit a new application, even if they previously submitted revenue details for a prior PRF distribution; the application has been updated to include some additional data entries to calculate payment based on the financial impact of COVID-19.
Dentists eligible for Phase 3 General Distribution funding include:
- Dentists who previously received, rejected, or accepted a General Distribution Provider Relief Fund payment. Dentists 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.
- Dentists that began practicing January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2020 (previously ineligible)
All provider submissions will be reviewed to confirm they have received a Provider Relief Fund payment equal to approximately 2% of patient care revenue from prior general distributions. Applicants that have not yet received Relief Fund payments of 2% of patient revenue will receive a payment that, when combined with prior payments (if any), equals 2% of patient care revenue.
With the remaining balance of the $20 billion, 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.