HHS Distributes Remainder of CARES Act Funds

HHS automatically disperses the remaining $20 billion from the Provider Relief Fund to providers based on their share of 2018 net patient revenue.

• By David Kopf
• Apr 30, 2020

Per the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, HHS is currently dispensing the final $20 billion from the Provider Relief Fund.

The CARES Act allocated $100 billion to the Provider Relief Fund. Of that $50 billion was earmarked for general distribution to Medicare facilities and providers impacted by COVID-19.

The first $30 billion was distributed proportionately to providers' share of 2019 Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements, with $26 billion paid out on April 10 and the remaining $4 billion on April 17.

Now, HHS has begun distribution the final $20 billion of the general distribution to providers to augment their allocation so that the whole $50 billion general distribution is allocated proportionally to providers' share of 2018 net patient revenue. Providers receiving funds must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions of payment and confirm the CMS cost report.

Providers should keep in mind that these funds are separate from the $75 billion that is part of the recently passed Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

The full statement from HHS is available at bit.ly/3f1oTXM.