In total, COVID-19 funding provided $178 billion in Provider Relief Funds (PRF). That money was specifically designated for healthcare organizations and providers. Health Resources and Services (HRSA) administered the funds and issued them to providers throughout 2022 through both “general” and “targeted” distributions.
The funds were aimed at reducing the financial burdens associated with virtually anything related to COVID-19. While the requirements were relatively broad, the funds must meet the following requirements:
- Provide diagnoses, testing, or care after January 31, 2020, to individuals who may have or actually have COVID-19.
- Use funds to “prepare, prevent and respond” to the COVID pandemic.
- Use the funds for certain allowable COVID expenses or lost revenues.
This list is simplified; there were several other specific qualifications for various types of providers.
The funds were not permitted to be used for expenses or revenue drops if the healthcare organization or provider was already getting reimbursed from another source. This restriction prevents double-dipping if a provider qualified for and received funding from another government program. A few examples of other sources are SBA loans, PPP Loans and Local and State Government Assistance.
Reporting Requirements for PRF Monies
The PRF funding programs also required that providers provide specific reports to ensure funding was used correctly. To date, there are five reporting periods, which are based on the time that the payment was received. Essentially, any time a provider received more than $10,000 (in total, regardless of if it was in more than one payment) during a specific period, that triggered a reporting requirement. Most periods are in six-month increments, but not always.
Each reporting period also coincides with a time limit in which the provider must use the funds. This period is known as the “period of availability.” The last date of the period of availability is the Deadline to Use Funds. Any unused funds by the end of this period must be returned to HRSA.
Reporting is completed through the provider relief portal found at prfreporting.hrsa.gov
The chart below sets out need-to-know dates for reporting.
Note: The money is considered “received” as of the date of the ACH transfer or the date when the check was cashed. Providers do not need to know or track when the funds were issued. The exact date received is necessary to determine your reporting period.
Reporting Deadlines
Keep in mind that if you fail to file a report, you must return all funds that were not reported for that specific period. The funds are also “use it or lose it,” which means you need to find uses for the funds within the period of availability for each payment. If the funds are not used, they must be returned.
Reporting for Periods 1 and 2 has closed. However, HRSA is allowing late-filed reports for extenuating circumstances. Below is a quick rundown of the status of the first four periods as of today’s date.
- Period 1: Unfortunately, the deadline to report on Period 1 has passed, and the deadline to request an extension has also now closed.
- Period 2: Unfortunately, the deadline to request an extension for Period 2 ended May 18, 2022.
- Period 3: The period of availability closed on June 30, 2022 and the reporting period for Period 3 closes September 30, 2022.
- Period 4: The deadline to use the funds, the period of availability, will close at the end of December 2022. The reporting period opens January 1, 2023.
Unsure of your reporting requirements or do you need help tracking PRF monies? Please contact Sarah Hayes in our Healthcare Department at 336-553-2322 or [email protected]
Sarah Hayes, CPB, CPCO
As a member of the DMJPS Healthcare Consulting team, Sarah is responsible for a number of special projects including HRSA Provider Relief Reporting. Sarah is a Certified Professional Biller and a Professional Compliance Officer. Her continuing education and certifications provide clients with an additional resource for HIPAA, human resource needs, and compliance concerns.