Healthcare organizations are in a challenging time financially. The reduction of patient visits and the elimination of elective surgeries has resulted in a material reduction of revenue. The Provider Relief Fund has been established as part of the CARES Act to offset the revenue reduction.

Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun distributing the remaining $20 billion of the $50 billion general distribution to Medicare providers to augment providers’ allocations so that the whole $50 billion general distribution is allocated proportional to providers’ share of net patient revenue. Medicare providers for whom HHS did not have adequate cost report data on file will need to submit their revenue information to the General Distribution Portal  to be able to receive additional general Providers who received their additional money automatically will still need to submit their revenue information so that it can be verified via the portal. Click here for FAQs on the General Distribution Portal – PDF.

The COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal, which allows healthcare providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured COVID-19 individuals on or after February 4, 2020 to request claims reimbursement, is now live. Providers can access the portal to register for the program at COVIDUninsuredClaim.HRSA.gov.

The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal  is open. Providers who have been allocated a payment must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of payment.

These funds are a “bridge” back to a new normal for healthcare organizations. We see numerous healthcare professional societies and organizations starting to plan how to reopen and/or increase the services they can offer their patients. This transition period with be challenging but achievable with a comprehensive and focused team effort.