On June 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements. As requested by CHA and others, the revised guidance extends the time granted to recipients to use the funds. The table below illustrates that the time frame for using and reporting PRFs will now occur on a rolling basis based on when the funds were received.
Period | Payment Received Period | Deadline to Use Funds | Reporting Time Period |
Period 1 | April 10, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 |
Period 2 | July 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 |
Period 3 | Jan. 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2022 | July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 |
Period 4 | July 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 |
The updated reporting requirements and time frames apply to recipients of general, targeted, and skilled-nursing facility and nursing home infection control distributions. Given that the first reporting period will begin on July 1, 2021, if a hospital has not registered for the PRF reporting portal, CHA encourages them to do so now.
Other changes to the reporting requirements include:
- Expanded Reporting Time Frame: The reporting time period is expanding from 30 days in the Jan. 15, 2021, guidance to 90 days in the updated requirements.
- Impact Survey Added: The revised guidance adds a survey with “questions regarding the impact of payments during the period of availability.” The survey will include questions related to the PRF’s impact on operations, financial solvency, staffing, and ability to treat patients with COVID-19.
HHS also updated the PRF Frequently Asked Questions. CHA is still evaluating these changes and will provide additional analysis.