The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published new Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and ARP Rural FAQs on May 5, 2023, addressing changes to the use of these funds for covering lost revenues and adding new reporting periods.

In October 2022, HRSA published updated reporting requirements stating that use of PRF and ARP Rural for lost revenues would end in the same quarter as the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Now that the Public Health Emergency has ended, HRSA confirms that providers will only be able to use PRF and ARP Rural funds to cover COVID-19-related lost revenues incurred through June 30, 2023. This means that when providers report on their use of funds, the period of availability for the funds will differ for COVID-related expenses than lost revenues. See reporting chart for updated timelines for incurring COVID-19 expenses and lost revenues, and reporting on PRF and ARP rural funds received. For additional information on other updates to reporting requirements, see this article or the webinar.

HRSA also added two additional reporting periods covering PRF and ARP Rural funds that may be received through June 30, 2024. There is no new money. These additional reporting periods are expected to cover any future payments distributed based upon provider payment reconsideration requests previously submitted and that HRSA continues to review. However, any remaining PRF funds appear to be in jeopardy of either being reclaimed by Congress as part of budget and debt ceiling negotiations or used by the administration for other COVID-19 purposes such as funding treatments, tests, etc. for the uninsured. Therefore, it remains to be seen if any PRF and ARP rural payments will continue to be paid out.

LeadingAge also reminds members of the following:

• RP4 Late Reporting: Providers whose request to report late for Reporting Period 4 (RP4) was approved will have from May 15 – June 2, 2023 to submit their report into the PRF Reporting Portal.
• June 30 Last Day to Incur COVID-19 Lost Revenues: Providers can apply PRF and ARP Rural payments to COVID-19-related lost revenues incurred between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023. This applies to all future reporting periods.
• Reporting Period 5: Covers PRF and ARP Rural funds received between January 1 – June 30, 2022. These providers can use these funds for COVID-19-related expenses and lost revenues incurred between January 1, 2020  – June 30, 2023. Reporting will begin July 1, 2023.
• Final Repayment Notices: Providers who receive these notices must either return funds or submit a request for a Decision Review within 60 days of receipt of the letter. This is a provider’s final appeal opportunity. For more information on these notices and the Decision Review process, see this LeadingAge article.