Still Time to Apply for CARES Act Medicare Provider Funds
Date: 08/28/20
Updated on 8/28: The deadline to apply has been extended to September 13, 2020. Visit the HHS provider relief website for information and to apply.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections and the Louisiana Department of Health remind providers to apply for the CARES Provider Relief Funding (PRF).
The CARES Act created a Provider Relief Fund to help reimburse providers for appropriate expenses, lost revenue due to COVID-19, or to help uninsured Americans get testing and treatment for COVID-19.
The relief funds do not have to be paid back and all Medicaid and CHIP providers are encouraged to apply, even if you think you may not qualify under the current requirements. You may still qualify or qualify at a later date.
Please note that you can still apply even if you do not have your Tax Identification Number (TIN) verified. As long as your TIN is in the process of being validated by August 28, 2020, you have met the application deadline.
On Monday, August 3, 2020, LDH has issued this memo and resource to assist providers who may have questions around applying:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Provider Relief Fund, is distributing $15 billion to eligible Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and dental providers that have been impacted by COVID-19. Eligible providers may receive up to 2 percent of reported revenue from patient care. The application deadline has been further extended to offer providers additional opportunity to apply for funding. You must act by Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET to be considered for payment from this distribution.
Louisiana Medicaid has also created additional Frequently Asked Questions to help with the process after several discussions with providers about the difficulties faced.
HHS has also announced that starting on August 10, providers who received automatic payments from the general distribution and did not apply to receive additional funds at that time will be given another opportunity to apply. This reopened application period will last from August 10 to August 28.
If you have already applied, you do not need to apply again.
If you have questions about your eligibility or the application process, please call HHS’s Provider Hotline at (866) 569-3522 for assistance.