HHS Provides Greater Flexibility for Provider Relief Funds

On June 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revised the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements, allowing more time for providers to use the funds received and extending greater flexibility in provider reporting on the use of those funds. The latest revision (PDF) applies to PRF General and Targeted Distributions. The revised reporting requirements do not apply to rural health clinics COVID-19 testing programs, HRSA COVID-19 uninsured program claims or the HRSA COVID-19 coverage assistance fund.

Providers in receipt of PRF payments exceeding $10,000 in aggregate during a payment period are required to report on the use of their funds during a revised reporting time period. The first key change relates to the time to use the PRF payments. Providers now have 12 months from the end of the payment period to use the funds received. The second important revision relates to reporting. Under the revised guidance, reporting on the funds used is now due during a 90-day period following the end of the revised deadline. Previously, providers had only 30 days to report on the period’s funds. Reporting is limited only to the open period; providers may not report on payments received until the reporting time period is open, even if the funds have already been expended.

Period 1

• Payment received period: April 10–June 30, 2020
• Deadline to use funds: June 30, 2021
• Reporting time period: July 1–Sept. 30, 2021
  

• Payment received period: July 1–Dec. 31, 2020
• Deadline to use funds: Dec. 31, 2021
• Reporting time period: Jan. 1–March 31, 2022
  

• Payment received period: Jan. 1–June 30, 2021
• Deadline to use funds: June 30, 2022
• Reporting time period: July 1–Sept. 30, 2022
  

• Payment received period: July 1–Dec. 31, 2021
• Deadline to use funds: Dec. 31, 2022
• Reporting time period: Jan. 1–March 31, 2023
  

Detailed information on reporting requirements based on how the funds were used is described in the latest guidance. The reporting requirements are appliable to all past and future PRF payments. Entities receiving more than a total of $750,000 in federal funds (including PRF payments and other federal financial assistance) during their fiscal year are subject to single audit requirements.

HRSA recently provided an opportunity to address questions and promised written materials to further illustrate the revised standards.

Help sustain this vital advocacy with your donations. The International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) is a tax exempt organization under US section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.