The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced on June 14 an extension for the use of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) resources. The extension follows requests from provider groups and members of Congress to extend the deadline [refer to Washington Highlights, May 14].
Prior to the announcement, PRF dollars were to be used by June 30, 2021, but the new guidance extended the deadline to occur one year after the receipt of funds. Additionally, HRSA extended the reporting period from 30 to 90 days. Providers will be required to report for each payment received period in which they received “one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000."
Congress provided a total of $178 billion throughout the pandemic in direct payments to providers through the PRF, as well as an additional $8.5 billion for rural hospitals in the American Rescue Plan (P.L. 117-2) [refer to Washington Highlights, March 12]. A significant portion of the funds allocated by Congress have not yet been distributed.