Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution of the Provider Relief Fund FAQs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the deadline for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers to apply for the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The deadline to apply is now Friday, September 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

All Medicaid and CHIP providers are encouraged to apply.

The Frequently Asked Questions below are meant to supplement the information available through HHS. For more information, please review the following resources from HHS:

Providers can also call the Health and Human Services Provider Support Line at (866) 569-3522 for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What do I do if I am experiencing technical difficulties when submitting my application?

Answer: If you are experiencing issues with the system or application glitches, please try reapplying.

Question: Are PPP loan recipients eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes, receipt of a PPP loan does not make you ineligible to apply.

Question: Can an agency still apply if the provider NPI listed was where the Medicare payment was delivered?

Answer: These providers were asked to apply for the second tranche of funding to supplement the first tranche up to 2% of net patient revenues. If they did not exercise this opportunity by an initial June 3 deadline, they have been extended the opportunity to apply for a second payment. This reopened application period will last from August 10 to September 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. These providers are not eligible to apply for funds from the Medicaid/CHIP funding stream, however, the total funding they are eligible for through the Medicare-based general distribution is identical to that available to the providers who are eligible for the Medicaid/CHIP funding. If your practice received an initial payment and did not apply for a second payment, you should visit this website and submit your financial information to receive a second payment: https://covid19.linkhealth.com/docusign/#/step/1.

Question: If a provider received funding in the Medicare tranche, can they still apply?

Answer: These providers were asked to apply for the second tranche of funding to supplement the first tranche up to 2% of net patient revenues. If they did not exercise this opportunity by an initial June 3 deadline, they have been extended the opportunity to apply for a second payment. This reopened application period will last from August 10 to September 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. These providers are not eligible to apply for funds from the Medicaid/CHIP funding stream, however, the total funding they are eligible for through the Medicare-based general distribution is identical to that available to the providers who are eligible for the Medicaid/CHIP funding. If your practice received an initial payment and did not apply for a second payment, you should visit this website and submit your financial information to receive a second payment: https://covid19.linkhealth.com/docusign/#/step/1.

Question: If I received an automatic payment from the general Provider Relief Fund distribution and subsequent funding by applying before June 3, 2020, can I apply again during the new application period from August 10 to September 13 if my total pSeptember 3ayments were less than 2 percent of net patient revenues?

Answer: Yes. You can apply again. You can also call (866) 569-3522 to get guidance from HHS on your specific situation and to find out if you might be eligible for additional funds.

Question: Can a provider receive Provider Relief Funds and still bill for services?

Answer: Yes.  This is not “double billing” as the Provider Relief Fund is a grant for loss of revenues and other income impacts to providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  It does not need to be paid back. However, part of terms and conditions advises that you’re not allowed to balance bill when you receive these funds. See the Terms and Conditions for more information.

Question: LDH Medicaid collected claims information from providers.  Do we still need to apply?

Answer: Yes.  The data that LDH collected and submitted to HHS and CMS was to help guide the application process.  It did not guarantee a distribution and providers must still apply for the funding in order to receive it.

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