How About Provider Relief Funds: Deadlines, Reporting, and Auditing Nuances

Beginning in April 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) began distributing payments to healthcare providers through the Provider Relief Fund (“PRF”) to assist them in replacing lost revenue and covering incremental expenses due to COVID-19. As many providers may recall, the first round of reporting for PRF payments received prior to June 30, 2020, took place in the fall of 2021. The next round of reporting for funds received from July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, is now upon us. This round of reporting will apply to a far greater number of healthcare providers, including some who may not have been required to report in the first round, such as dental providers, assisted living facilities, and behavioral health providers. In addition to reporting, HHS has also been distributing additional funds through Phase 4 of the PRF General Distribution and the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Rural Distribution to providers who applied in the fall of 2021. As providers begin their planning for reporting on prior PRF distributions and managing new distributions, it is important that they understand the complex web of audit and reporting considerations unique to their organizations.

During this webinar, we will address key questions organizations should consider as they prepare to meet reporting and government audit requirements:

• Has your organization prepared for Period 2 reporting for PRF payments received between July 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020 (Reporting Deadline: March 31, 2022)?
• Has your organization received Phase 4 or ARP Rural Distribution payments distributed in December 2021 and January 2022? Have you considered whether your organization should submit a Phase 4 payment appeal to HHS to ensure you received the correct payment amount?
• Are you confident your organization is in a position to retain the full amount of PRF payments it has received since April 2020?
• Are you comfortable with your organization’s approach to meeting federal audit and reporting requirements for PRF payments? If you received a Phase 4 or ARP Rural Distribution payment, does your organization understand how it might impact your audit requirements?
  
  

Kate Broderick Director kbroderick@citrincooperman.com	Amber Bichun Director abuchin@citrincooperman.com