HHS extends application deadlines for financial assistance programs

HHS announced that Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Children's Health Insurance Program and dental providers as well as certain Medicare providers experiencing financial difficulty stemming from COVID-19 now have until Aug. 28 to apply for funding relief.

Earlier application deadlines were extended after potential applicants said they did not have enough time to gather application materials, HHS said in a press release.

Recent data from a COVID-19 Primary Care Survey show that nearly 20% of about 450 primary care clinicians in the U.S. reported increased costs of care and payment reductions. Other data indicate that treating a single symptomatic patient with COVID-19 results in a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs during the course of the infection in the U.S., and an estimated $15.1 billion is needed to neutralize COVID-19-related revenue losses in primary care practices in the U.S.

The application extensions are for funds funneled through the Provider Relief Fund component of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law , HHS said. Up to $175 billion will be provided directly to hospitals and health care providers for personal protective equipment purchases, telehealth expansion, employees’ salaries, rural health outreach and other health care-related needs.

Medicaid, Medicaid Managed Care and Children’s Health Insurance Program providers who did not receive funding during the first phase of the Medicare General Distribution, as well as certain dental providers, can apply for funding through the second phase of the General Distribution. Application extensions also pertain to Medicare providers who did not apply for additional funding from the $20 billion portion of the $50 billion phase 1 Medicare General Distribution. To be eligible, the health care provider or health system must not have received previous funding from the CARES Act that would equal about 2% of annual patient revenue; must have filed a federal income tax return for fiscal years 2017, 2018 and 2019 or be exempt from filing one; provided patient care after Jan. 31; and did not permanently cease providing patient care.

According to HHS, successful applicants can receive up to 2% of revenue from patient care.

Eligible applicants can visit HHS’ website for more information regarding eligibility and applications regarding these extensions.

References:

• HHS. CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: For Providers. https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2020.
• HHS. HHS extends application deadline for Medicaid providers and plans to reopen portal to certain Medicare providers. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/07/31/hhs-extends-application-deadline-for-medicaid-providers-and-plans-to-reopen-portal-to-certain-medicare-providers.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2020.
• Primary Care Collaborative. Primary Care & COVID-19: Week 17 survey. https://www.pcpcc.org/sites/default/files/news_files/C19%20Series%2017%20National%20Executive%20Summary.pdf. Accessed Aug. 13, 2020.