Additional HRSA Provider Relief Fund Distribution Announced
On September 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that an additional $25.5 billion in new funding would be made available through HRSA's Provider Relief Fund to health care providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within the $25.5 billion, $8.5 billion will be allocated to American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural resources for providers who serve rural patients based on the amount of services providers furnish to Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare beneficiaries living in Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)-defined rural areas. The remaining $17 billion will be allocated to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution for providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
Eligible providers, including dentists, can begin applying on September 29, 2021. Providers will apply for both programs (ARP Rural and PRF) in a single application. Providers can search the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer to see what areas qualify as "rural" for the ARP Rural payments.
HHS said that "PRF Phase 4 will reimburse smaller providers—who tend to operate on thin margins and often serve vulnerable or isolated communities—for their lost revenues and COVID-19 expenses at a higher rate compared to larger providers." and that "PRF Phase 4 will also include bonus payments for providers who serve Medicaid, CHIP, and/or Medicare patients".
Additional information regarding the new relief fund distributions from HHS can be found on HRSA's Provider Relief Fund Portal.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD appreciates the additional funding assistance from HHS for providers and recommends that member dentists apply for this Phase 4 PRF and ARP Rural funding if eligible for either distribution. Additionally, HHS has said that providers who believe their PRF Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to their methodology will have an opportunity to request a reconsideration, with further details on that process forthcoming. HHS staff are available to provide real-time technical support, as well as service and payment support related to the Provider Relief Fund, from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday at (866) 569-3522. Additional information and FAQs are available on HRSA's Provider Relief Fund Portal.
Within the $25.5 billion, $8.5 billion will be allocated to American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural resources for providers who serve rural patients based on the amount of services providers furnish to Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare beneficiaries living in Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)-defined rural areas. The remaining $17 billion will be allocated to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution for providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic from July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
Eligible providers, including dentists, can begin applying on September 29, 2021. Providers will apply for both programs (ARP Rural and PRF) in a single application. Providers can search the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer to see what areas qualify as "rural" for the ARP Rural payments.
HHS said that "PRF Phase 4 will reimburse smaller providers—who tend to operate on thin margins and often serve vulnerable or isolated communities—for their lost revenues and COVID-19 expenses at a higher rate compared to larger providers." and that "PRF Phase 4 will also include bonus payments for providers who serve Medicaid, CHIP, and/or Medicare patients".
Additional information regarding the new relief fund distributions from HHS can be found on HRSA's Provider Relief Fund Portal.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD appreciates the additional funding assistance from HHS for providers and recommends that member dentists apply for this Phase 4 PRF and ARP Rural funding if eligible for either distribution. Additionally, HHS has said that providers who believe their PRF Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to their methodology will have an opportunity to request a reconsideration, with further details on that process forthcoming. HHS staff are available to provide real-time technical support, as well as service and payment support related to the Provider Relief Fund, from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday at (866) 569-3522. Additional information and FAQs are available on HRSA's Provider Relief Fund Portal.