HHS Updates Reporting Requirements for Provider Relief Fund Recipients
On October 22, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the reporting guidance for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payment recipients had been amended to increase flexibility around how providers can apply PRF money toward lost revenues attributable to coronavirus.
Many stakeholders had voiced concerns regarding HHS' approach to clarifying the permissible uses of PRF money. The amended reporting instructions explain that after reimbursing healthcare-related expenses attributable to coronavirus that were unreimbursed by other sources, providers may use remaining PRF funds to cover any lost revenue, measured as a negative change in actual year-over-year revenue from patient care related sources.
HHS has published a policy memo outlining this decision in further detail, and the amended reporting requirements guidance can be found here.
The deadline for eligible dentists to apply for the $20 billion in new Phase 3 General Distribution funding from the Provider Relief Fund is 11:59 p.m. EST on November 6. Once validated, these accepted applicants will receive a baseline payment of approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care plus an add-on payment that considers changes in operating revenues and expenses from patient care, including expenses incurred related to coronavirus.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD appreciates that HHS has responded to providers' feedback to allow recipients of PRF assistance a greater level of flexibility in utilizing their funds. AGD recommends that eligible dentists apply for provider relief funding as soon as possible. HHS staff are available to provide real-time technical support, as well as service and payment support, from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday at (866) 569-3522. Please visit the HHS Provider Relief Fund Website for more information.
Many stakeholders had voiced concerns regarding HHS' approach to clarifying the permissible uses of PRF money. The amended reporting instructions explain that after reimbursing healthcare-related expenses attributable to coronavirus that were unreimbursed by other sources, providers may use remaining PRF funds to cover any lost revenue, measured as a negative change in actual year-over-year revenue from patient care related sources.
HHS has published a policy memo outlining this decision in further detail, and the amended reporting requirements guidance can be found here.
The deadline for eligible dentists to apply for the $20 billion in new Phase 3 General Distribution funding from the Provider Relief Fund is 11:59 p.m. EST on November 6. Once validated, these accepted applicants will receive a baseline payment of approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care plus an add-on payment that considers changes in operating revenues and expenses from patient care, including expenses incurred related to coronavirus.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD appreciates that HHS has responded to providers' feedback to allow recipients of PRF assistance a greater level of flexibility in utilizing their funds. AGD recommends that eligible dentists apply for provider relief funding as soon as possible. HHS staff are available to provide real-time technical support, as well as service and payment support, from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday at (866) 569-3522. Please visit the HHS Provider Relief Fund Website for more information.