$25.5 Billion in New COVID-19 Provider Funding Available

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the (HRSA) is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Providers, defined as any provider or supplier of health care, services, and support in a medical setting, at home, or in the community, will apply for both programs in a single application. HRSA will use existing Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare claims data in calculating payments. The application portal will open on September 29, 2021.

PRF Phase 4

75% of the Phase 4 payments will be based on lost revenues and expenditures between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. The remaining 25% of payments will be utilized for bonus payments for providers who serve Medicaid, CHIP, and/or Medicare patients.

Medium and small providers will receive a base payment plus a supplement, with smaller providers receiving the highest supplement. Large providers will receive a minimum payment amount based on a percentage of lost revenues and COVID-related expenses. HHS will determine the exact amount of the base payments and supplements after analyzing data from all the applications received to ensure available funds are distributed equitably.

Rural

HRSA will make $8.5B in rural payments to providers who serve patients who receive Medicaid, CHIP, and/or Medicare services in a rural area as defined by the HHS Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Search the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer  to see what areas qualify as "rural" for the rural payments. 

Phase 3 Reconsiderations
Providers who believe their Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to this methodology will now have an opportunity to request a reconsideration. Further details on this Phase 3 reconsideration process are forthcoming.

Grace Period for Reporting Period 1

In order to help providers come into compliance with PRF Reporting requirements if they miss the September 30, 2021 deadline for the first PRF Reporting Time Period, HHS announced a final 60-day grace period for those who received a PRF payment between April 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

It’s important to note that the deadlines to use funds and the Reporting Time Period are not changing. However, HHS will not enforce actions for noncompliant providers during the grace period. More information on reporting is available on the HRSA website. 

Additional Information:

Visit the HRSA website for more information about eligibility requirements, documents, and information providers will need to complete their application.