​Latest HHS Updates to Provider Relief Fund Reporting and Requirements

The U.S. Department of Health & Human services opened the Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal on July 1. HHS also updated its FAQs and released updated Portal User Guides and a Data Entry Workbook.

The organization is also offering a webcast — “Introduction to the PRF Reporting Portal” — on Thursday, July 8, at 1 p.m. MDT.

The HHS’s updated FAQs provided some much-needed clarifications. Below are some of the major highlights:

• HHS isn’t allowing for any deadline extensions, whether for submitting reports or for using PRF payments. (Read the full FAQs on page 26.)
• If providers and organizations can’t spend PRFs by the deadline, they’ll need to return the unused funds within 30 days after the end of the applicable reporting period. (Read the full FAQ on page 8.)
• Purchased items don’t have to be “in the provider’s possession” by the due date to use the funds. However, providers will have need to have spent the money based on their method of accounting, whether that’s accrual or cash basis. (Read the full FAQ on page 17.)
• “Other Assistance Received” that providers report won’t be used to calculate expenses or lost revenues. Providers can’t use PRF payments for expenses or lost revenues that other sources have reimbursed or are obligated to reimburse. (Read the actual FAQ on page 23.)
• The lost revenue calculation only applies to quarters that show lost revenue. (Read the full FAQ on page 22.)
• If a provider has more lost revenue for a “Payment Received Period” than it received in Provider Relief Fund payments for the same period, the provider can carry forward that lost revenue and apply it against other PRFs eligible to reimburse lost revenue. (Read the full FAQ on page 23.)

Providers can also call 866-569-3522 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT Monday through Friday to get help with technical questions related to the portal or for answers to questions that the FAQs don’t answer.

If we can help you understand the latest HHS Provider Relief Funds changes and updates, please let us know.

This communication is intended to provide general information on legislative COVID-19 relief measures as of the date of this communication and may reference information from reputable sources. Although our firm has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate, we make no warranties, expressed or implied, on the information provided. As legislative efforts are still ongoing, we expect that there may be additional guidance and clarification from regulators that may modify some of the provisions in this communication. Some of those modifications may be significant. As such, be aware that this is not a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide specific recommendations to you or your business with respect to the matters addressed.