HHS to Distribute Additional $2 Billion in COVID Relief Funds
- January 28, 2022
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is distributing an additional $2 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments to health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said January 25.
The agency started releasing Phase 4 payments in December 2021 with a nearly $9 billion disbursement.
With the latest announcement, HHS has distributed nearly $11 billion in PRF Phase 4 payments to more than 74,000 providers, which is in addition to HRSA’s distribution of American Rescue Plan rural payments totaling nearly $7.5 billion in funding to more than 43,000 providers. According to a press release, roughly 82% of all Phase 4 applications have been processed.
Consistent with the administration’s focus on health equity and supporting the most vulnerable communities, HRSA is distributing 25% of Phase 4 funding as “bonus” payments based on the amount and type of services provided to Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP patients.
“Provider Relief Fund payments have served as a lifeline for our nation’s heroic health care providers throughout the pandemic, helping them to continue to recruit and retain staff and deliver care to their communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.