Home Health & Hospice Week

The Health Resources and Services Administration has continued its significant Provider Relief Fund assistance with its Phase 4 general distribution that started in December 2021, helping healthcare providers combat COVID-19.

Details: HRSA dispensed $9 billion in PRF payments as part of the Phase 4 distribution in December, and another $2 billion went out this January, according to a Jan. 25 Health and Human Services update.

This Phase 4 tranche was “based on changes in operating revenues and expenses from July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021,” HRSA guidance indicates. “Phase 4 payments also include new elements specifically focused on equity, including reimbursing smaller providers for their changes in operating revenues and expenses at a higher rate compared to larger providers, and bonus payments based on the amount of services providers furnish to Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicare beneficiaries.”

Though more than 76,000 providers and suppliers have already received Phase 4 payments, there may be more distri­butions ahead as the agency has only processed 82 percent of the applications.

“The Provider Relief Fund remains an important tool in helping to sustain the critical health care services communities need and support the health care workforce that is delivering on the frontlines every day,” acknowledges HRSA Adminis­trator Carole Johnson in a release on the most recent Phase 4 distributions.

Find the list of PRF payment recipients at https://data.cdc.gov/Administrative/HHS-Provider-Relief-Fund/kh8y-3es6..