First PRF Reporting Deadline Coming Soon

The first reporting deadline for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) is less than two months away, the first batch of reports are due September 30, 2021. The PRF is a $175 billion fund created by Congress through the CARES Act and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide financial relief to healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS has subdivided the PRF into various general and targeted distributions. These distributions were paid to providers in several waves between April 2020 and the present.

In June 2021, HHS released long-awaited updates on the reporting requirements for entities that received payments from the PRF. These reporting requirements divided the payment based on when the provider received the payment and then set deadlines for reporting based on when the provider received the payment. Providers who received payments between April 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the first to receive payments, are required to file their reports by September 30, 2021. This time period includes most of the payments made under the Phase 1 General Distribution, some of the payments made under the Phase 2 General Distribution, and some payments made under the Target Distributions.  The reporting portal opened on July 1, 2021 and is currently available to these recipients.

Providers who received and retained payments through the PRF are required to file reports justifying their use of the funds. Providers must report information on healthcare-related expenses attributable to coronavirus, lost revenue attributable to coronavirus, other pandemic assistance received, and administrative data. Providers who received more than $500,000 in aggregate payments are required to report some data elements in greater detail, including specific information regarding operations, personnel, supplies, equipment, facilities, and several other categories. Some providers will be required to report significant amounts of financial information in significant detail, which may require time to compile or calculate. Further, HHS continues to update the guidance surrounding PRF reporting. Providers should be aware of the potential complexity of PRF reporting as the deadlines begin to approach.

For over 35 years, Wachler & Associates has represented healthcare providers and suppliers nationwide in a variety of health law matters. If you or your healthcare entity has any questions pertaining to the Provider Relief Fund or healthcare compliance, please contact an experienced healthcare attorney at 248-544-0888 or wapc@wachler.com.