In a recent
program update from June 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced the following:
“With the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and related rescission of program funds, no further payments will be made to providers under the Provider Relief Fund or the American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution, including no reconsideration payments. Likewise, no additional claims payments will be made under the Uninsured Program or Coverage Assistance Fund. Per the Terms and Conditions of each Program, all reporting and auditing requirements will continue without disruption.”
Background
Per the
HRSA website, the Provider Relief Bureau (PRB) within HHS ensured resiliency of the nation’s health care systems and infrastructure by supporting health care entities in the United States in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, the PRB has reimbursed health care providers for health care-related expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus and provided claims reimbursement for health care entities for COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccine administration for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
The four provider relief programs administered by the PRB that will no longer issue payments unless already obligated, even if applications were submitted prior to the recent enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 on June 3, 2023, are:
- Provider Relief Fund (PRF)
- American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution
- COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program
- UIP stopped accepting claims due to a lack of sufficient funds in April of 2022.
- COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF)
- CAF stopped accepting claims due to a lack of sufficient funds in April of 2022.
The HRSA Provider Support Line is (866) 569-3522 (for TTY dial 711).
AHCA will share any additional updates or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from HRSA as they become available.