Here is where things stand with the Provider Relief Fund:

• Phase 4 and ARP Rural Distributions: HRSA set aside $17 billion for the Phase 4 general distribution and $8.5 billion for the American Rescue Plan(ARP) Rural distribution. These payments continue to go out to providers as HRSA completes review of applications. HRSA told LeadingAge that these payments will continue to be distributed through May 2022. The most recent batch of Phase 4 payments ($413 million) was sent to 3,600 providers on March 21. There is still roughly $5 billion available for Phase 4 payments and $1 billion remains in the ARP Rural account. For those who have been told that they qualify for ARP Rural payments and have not yet received them, they are still coming. 
• Reimbursement under the Uninsured Program is ending:  HRSA ended reimbursement of COVID-19 testing and treatment costs for the uninsured as of March 22 and will cease reimbursing for vaccinations of the uninsured as of April 5.  This change in policy according to HRSA/HHS is “due to lack of sufficient funds.” This is important because the Uninsured Program uses PRF dollars to pay these claims.

We have repeatedly asked Congress and the White House for more PRF dollars to see aging service providers through the pandemic. Yesterday, LeadingAge renewed its call for Congress to replenish the Provider Relief Fund to ensure aging services providers can survive the pandemic. Specifically, we are asking Congress to restore $23 billion that was used for other non-provider relief but coronavirus purposes. We are asking members to raise their voices on this issue by contacting their U.S. Representatives and Senators about your organization’s need for additional PRF funds. Our PRF Action Alert can be found here.