HHS Extends Attestation Deadline for COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund

Along with the extension to 45 days after receipt of payment, HHS released answers to 12 frequently asked questions about documentation and oversight measures.

• By Haley Samsel
• May 14, 2020

Providers receiving COVID-19 relief funds from the Department of Health and Human Services have an extra 15 days to submit their attestation that they received payments, HHS announced last week.

The deadline for filling out the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund attestation form was extended from 30 days to 45 days after receiving payment. Not returning the payment within 45 days of receipt of payment will be viewed as acceptance of the $30 billion fund’s terms and conditions.

In addition, HHS released answers to several frequently asked questions, addressing provider concerns about what to do if they received a payment that is greater or less than expected.

Providers should reject the entire General Distribution payment and submit the appropriate documentation through the HHS portal if they received a payment in error or were overpaid. If providers believe they were underpaid, they can accept the original payment and submit their revenues in the provider portal to determine if their business can receive more funds.

The department also outlined some of the oversight measures it will use to ensure providers meet terms and conditions. All recipients will be required to submit documents to show that the payments were used for “increased healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to the coronavirus,” HHS wrote in its FAQ. Other sources must not be obligated to reimburse those losses, or providers will be required to recoup some or all funds.

“HHS will have significant anti-fraud monitoring of the funds distributed, and the Office of Inspector General will provide oversight as required in the CARES ACT to ensure that Federal dollars are used appropriately,” HHS wrote.

In all, the department added 12 new questions to its FAQ. The American Association for Homecare said it would continue to “seek clarification” from CMS and HHS about relief fund procedures, including the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.