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Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Rural Funding Opportunity: Application Deadline October 26, 2021

October 25, 2021

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making $25.5 billion in new relief funding available to healthcare providers. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of HHS, administers the provider relief programs on behalf of HHS. HRSA has created a single application portal to make the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) Rural payments and Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments. The deadline to file for these funds is October 26, 2021, by 11:59 PM. Since the application process requires several validation checks, it is best to start the process now.

Who Is Eligible?

HHS has expanded the types of healthcare providers that are eligible for the PRF and ARP Rural payments. Providers that have not received payments in the past may now be eligible.

Eligibility for PRF payments includes:

  • Providers or suppliers who bill Medicare fee-for-service (Parts A, B, and C), Medicaid (fee-for-service or managed care) and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Dental service providers
  • State-licensed or certified assisted living facilities
  • Behavioral health providers
  • And others

Eligibility for ARP Rural payments includes:

  • Providers or suppliers who bill Medicare (Parts A, B, and C), Medicaid (fee-for-service or managed care), and/or CHIP, and operate in or serve patients in a rural area, including:
  • Rural health clinics and critical access hospitals
  • In-home health, hospice, or long-term services
  • And others

How Are Payments Determined?

PRF base payments are determined by changes in operating revenues and expenses from July 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Smaller providers will be reimbursed for a higher percentage of changes in operating revenues and expenses. There will also be bonus payments based on the amount and type of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP services provided.

ARP Rural payments are based on the amount and type of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP services provided to rural patients from January 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020.

It is worth noting that providers can receive funding from both PRF and ARP Rural payments, which can be used for changes in operating revenues and expenses dating back to January 1, 2020.

 

Here is the link to access the Application.

Here is the link to access the Instructions.

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