HHS Updates Guidance, Expands Eligibility for Applying to Provider Relief Fund

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has updated its guidance surrounding reporting requirements for the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. While ANCOR is still analyzing the new guidance, at first read, two components could be beneficial to Medicaid disability providers:

• Parent entities can now report on and direct use of the General Distribution payments provided certain criteria are met.
• The guidance removes the language that defined lost revenue as a change in year-over-year net operating income. The guidance now compares 2019 patient care revenue to 2020 patient care revenue.

HHS also stated that it expanded eligibility for the Provider Relief Fund to 17 provider types that had previously been ineligible, including behavioral health providers. The full list is available in the announcement linked above.

ANCOR members previously reported experiencing confusion about the reporting requirements, as well as hesitation to apply to the funds because of the evolving nature of the requirements. We hope this update will encourage Medicaid disability providers to apply for funding before the November 6 deadline. Given the continued stalemate in Congress over a new COVID-19 package, this Provider Relief Fund distribution is likely the last opportunity for federal emergency aid in 2020.