Health Care Alert: HHS Stimulus Payment Terms and Conditions Attestation Portal Now Open; More Funding Forthcoming

UPDATE 4/24/20 – Since publishing this alert, HHS has extended the hospital deadline to noon Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, April 25.
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Many health care providers received an injection of cash thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus fund on April 10, 2020 and April 17, 2020. As mentioned in our previous Client Alert - HHS Stimulus Payments Have Terms and Conditions on April 13, 2020, this money was distributed to health care providers and is considered payment which is not a loan and does not need to be repaid; however, it does have terms and conditions to which providers must affirmatively agree. If providers choose not to accept the funds or the terms and conditions, they must also notify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of their choice.
 

Providers must attest their selection via the CARES Act Relief Provider Payment Attestation portal which just recently opened. In order to do so, providers will need the tax identification number(s) to which the payment was made (the one linked to your Medicare PTAN), and the payment amount received (likely found as an EFT entry marked “HHSPAYMENT” in your CMS EFT bank account). Finally, the provider will then need to attest that it either accepts or rejects the terms and conditions and payment.
 

The decision to accept or reject the payment and the terms and conditions is required within 30 days of the receipt of the funds. For many providers, that deadline is May 10, 2020. 
 

President Trump has authorized a total of $100 billion to healthcare providers during the COVID-19 crisis, $50 billion of which was allocated for general distribution. Of that $50 billion, $30 billion was made available on these April payout dates. Now, the remaining $20 billion is being distributed and allocated in various ways. 
 

Of importance, some hospitals that are in high-impact areas treating COVID-19 patients may be eligible for a designated allocation of funding to help fight this pandemic. Hospitals have been contacted regarding the steps needed to ensure their application is considered. The deadline for this submission is today, April 23, before midnight PST. HHS has stated that this process is being used to determine how to allocate this special fund, and all hospitals are not guaranteed to receive funding from this source. However, other monies may still be available through the general distribution. To read the details of the CARES Act funding, click here. 
 

Congress continues to propose additional relief funding during this pandemic so stay tuned for additional announcements with these details.
 

While the relatively quick response of the government to keep health care providers afloat is welcomed, the devil is in the details. We are fielding many calls from providers who are trying to keep up and are finding some confusion or ambiguity in the requirements, eligibility, and access to these relief aid packages. Our Health Care Practice Group is available to help answer your questions, help you navigate this time, and remain compliant as you make substantial decisions regarding your business. Contact us if you need assistance.