HHS Announces $2 Billion More In Provider Relief Fund Payments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Jan. 25 that, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), it is making more than $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 General Distribution payments to more than 7,600 providers across the country this week.
The press release states that “These payments come on the heels of the nearly $9 billion in funding that was already released by HHS in December 2021. With today’s announcement, a total of nearly $11 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments has now been distributed to more than 74,000 providers in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and five territories. This is in addition to HRSA’s distribution of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments totaling nearly $7.5 billion in funding to more than 43,000 providers in December 2021.”
Provider Relief Fund payments have been essential in assisting healthcare providers respond to and prepare and prevent COVID-19. The funds have been used by providers to remain in operation and to continue to support patient care by covering costs such as personnel, recruitment, medical supplies, and information technology.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra was quoted in the release saying that “Provider Relief Fund payments have served as a lifeline for our nation’s heroic healthcare providers throughout the pandemic, helping them to continue to recruit and retain staff and deliver care to their communities. This funding is just the latest example of the Biden-Harris administration’s dedication to ensuring that providers continue to have the resources they need to meet the evolving challenges presented by COVID-19 and keep providing critical services to the American people.”
“Phase 4 payments have an increased focus on equity, including reimbursing a higher percentage of losses for smaller providers and incorporating “bonus” payments for providers who serve Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries,” the release adds. “Approximately 82 percent of all Phase 4 applications have now been processed.”
