HHS Begins Distribution of Second Round of CARES Act Funding for Health Care Providers

The United States Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") has begun distributing an additional $20 billion of funding for health care providers appropriated in the CARES Act.  HHS distributed the first $30 billion of funding between April 10 and April 17, 2020. That distribution was based on providers’ 2019 Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements. HHS began distributing the additional $20 billion on Friday, April 24, 2020. The additional funding is intended to augment providers’ allocation so that the combined $50 billion will be proportional to providers' share of 2018 net patient revenue. CMS cost report filers received the first distribution on Friday. 

In order to receive their share of the $20 billion, providers that do not submit CMS cost reports must submit information regarding their patient revenue through an HHS portal. (Providers that submit CMS cost reports and received their money automatically must also submit their revenue information through the portal to allow HHS to verify that information.)  All providers that receive funds must sign an attestation confirming receipt of funds and agree to the terms and conditions of payment.