HHS has opened the Provider Relief Funds application process to the following Medicare providers (this list includes some newly eligible categories of providers):

• Medicare providers who missed the June 3 deadline to apply for a second Provider Relief Fund payment by submitting their federal tax return and revenue loss information;
• Medicare providers who’ve experienced a Change in Ownership in 2019 or 2020 under Medicare Part A and received no Medicare FFS  payments in 2019;
• Medicare providers whose total General Distribution payments are not equal to 2% of their annual patient service revenue across all payers – NEW;
• Medicare providers who previously rejected General Distribution payments and want to reapply – NEW.

It should be noted that providers who have low Medicare volumes and predominantly serve Medicaid recipients should also consider applying as they may not have received their full General Distribution payment (2% of annual patient service revenues) and they are not eligible to apply for the Medicaid Distribution. HHS has said that there should be parity between the Medicare and Medicaid General Distribution payments. LeadingAge had previously pointed out that this was not possible for some providers whose Medicare cost reports did not report patient service revenues for all lines of business (e.g. assisted living). This new round of applications is their chance to receive the full 2% of patient service revenue payment so they can address increased coronavirus expenses and lost revenues across all their lines of business. 

For providers new to the application process and those who have questions, HHS is hosting another webinar this Thursday, August 13 at 3p ET on the application process for both Medicare and Medicaid providers. Providers must register .

Finally, whether providers are applying for the Medicare (HHS is referring to this as Phase I) or the Medicaid General Distribution (Phase II), the deadline to submit their information for validation is August 28.

Questions?

Contact: 

David Carter | Director, Health Care Finance & Policy

C 360.888.5702