On September 10, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting Sept. 29, 2021, health care providers can apply for relief funds through the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA). This funding includes $17 billion for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for providers who can document revenue loss and expenses related to the pandemic, and an additional $8.5 billion in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Medicare patients. The programs are separate, but eligible dentists have the opportunity to simultaneously be considered for both Phase 4 and ARP Rural payments.

PRF Phase 4 General Distribution

This is the fourth round of funding for the PRF. The fund provides financial support to providers who have experienced lost revenues and increased expenses during the pandemic. As you will recall, HHS launched the third round of provider relief fund payments in December 2020.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this funding, dentists must be able to provide evidence of lost revenues and increased expenditures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Payments will be Calculated

PRF Phase 4 payments will be based on a provider’s lost revenues and increased expenditures between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Phase 4 general distribution will reimburse a higher percentage of lost revenues and expenses for smaller providers compared to larger providers. Phase 4 will also provide ‘bonus’ payments based on the number of services provided to Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare patients. HRSA will price these bonus payments at the generally higher Medicare rates to ensure equity for those serving low-income children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors.

ARP Rural

ARP Rural is intended to help address the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on rural communities and health care providers.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this funding, dentists must serve Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare patients living in rural areas defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP). Use HRSA’s Rural Health Grant Eligibility Analyzer to see if your area qualifies as ‘rural’ for the ARP rural payments.

How Payments will be Calculated

ARP Rural payments will be based on the number and type of Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP claims for beneficiaries living in a FORHP rural area between January 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020.

How to Apply

The application opened on Sept. 29, 2021, and will close on Oct.  26, 2021, at 8:59 PM PST. To apply to one or both programs, providers will fill out a single application using the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal. HRSA’s website has further application instructions and a step-by-step application guide. Providers will need their tax identification number (TIN), federal income tax returns, internally generated financial statements, and other documentation to complete the application.

HRSA will be hosting webinar sessions for Phase 4 and ARP Rural applicants featuring guidance on how to navigate the application portal.

• Tuesday, Oct. 5, 12-1 PM PST, register to attend
• Wednesday, Oct. 13, 12-1 PM PST, register to attend
• Thursday, Oct. 21, 12-1 PM PST, register to attend

Questions?

For more information visit HRSA’s website. Questions can be direct to RegionX@hrsa.gov or HRSA’s provider support line call (866) 569-3522.