As ISMA has previously reported, Congress allocated $100 billion to hospitals, physicians, and health care providers to help offset lost revenue caused by COVID-19. The first round of funds ($30 billion) have already been distributed; more details are available here.

Late last week, HHS announced that an additional $20 billion would be distributed. This sum, combined with the $30 billion already distributed, amounts to $50 billion of “general distribution” funds. According to HHS, the second round of $20 billion in funding is being used “to augment providers' allocations so that the whole $50 billion general distribution is allocated proportional to providers’ share of net patient revenue.”

Some providers were automatically sent advance payments based on the revenue data they submitted in CMS cost reports.

Medicare providers for whom HHS did not have adequate cost report data on file will need to submit their revenue information to the General Distribution Portal to be able to receive additional general distribution funds and agree to the Terms and Conditions for this additional distribution.

Providers who received their additional money automatically will still need to submit their revenue information so that it can be verified via the portal. Click here for FAQs about the General Distribution Portal.

The AMA has put together the guidance below to help physicians pull together the information they need to submit to the portal. Stay tuned for updates should additional information become available.

AMA Guidance for HHS General Allocation Fund Portal >>

AMA Fact Sheet: Provider Relief Fund General Distribution 2 >>

Uninsured COVID-19 care eligible for reimbursement
A portion of the $100 billion in provider relief will be used to reimburse health care providers, at Medicare rates, for COVID-related treatment of the uninsured. Physicians are eligible for this funding. Every health care provider who has provided treatment for uninsured COVID-19 patients on or after Feb. 4, 2020, can request claims reimbursement through the program and will be reimbursed at Medicare rates, subject to available funding.

Steps will include: (1) enrolling as a provider participant, (2) checking patient eligibility and benefits, (3) submitting patient information, (4) submitting claims and (5) receiving payment via direct deposit.

Providers can register for the program and file claims by visiting coviduninsuredclaim.hrsa.gov

Targeted distributions forthcoming
HHS has also announced that other “targeted distributions” will be forthcoming for certain providers affected by COVID-19, including “providers who only take Medicaid.” However, these details have not yet been announced. Stay tuned for further updates.