CMS Updates Status of Provider Assistance Programs

On April 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will no longer accept new applications from physician practices, medical equipment suppliers, and other providers for its Advance Payment Program. CMS will continue to accept applications from hospitals for loans under its Accelerated Payment Program but will be reevaluating the amounts that will be distributed. The expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program was previously discussed here.

Congress recently appropriated $175 billion in relief payment for healthcare providers during the COVID-19 emergency, including $100 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and $75 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

Distributions to providers through the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund are being administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This fund has so far released $30 billion to providers, with at least an additional $20 billion in funding to be released soon. Unlike the Advance Payment Program, the Provider Relief Fund does not require providers to repay the amounts distributed so long as they comply with the terms and conditions of the funding. Information about the Provider Relief Fund, including how to apply, can be found here.