September 2021 - Medical Association of the State of Alabama

HHS Announces $25.5 Billion in Provider Funding for Covid-19 Relief

Posted by Mallory Camerio on September 15, 2021

More help is on the way for health care providers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is providing $25.5 billion in new funding. This includes $8.5 billion for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and $17 billion for Phase 4 of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF).

ARP Rural is intended to help address the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on rural communities and rural health care providers. The ARP Rural payments will be based on the amount of Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare services provided to patients living in rural areas. The payments will generally be based on Medicare rates. Providers who serve any patients living in HHS Federal Office of Rural Health Policy defined rural areas with Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare coverage, and who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria, will receive a minimum payment.

The Provider Relief Fund provides payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to coronavirus. These distributions generally do not need to be repaid. The PRF Phase 4 payments will be based on the provider’s lost revenue and expenditures between July 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Smaller providers will be reimbursed at a higher rate than larger providers. PRF Phase 4 payments will include bonus payments for serving Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare patients. These bonus payments will be reimbursed at Medicare rates.

Providers may apply for both programs with one application. The application portal opens September 29, 2021. To prepare, providers should start gathering supporting documentation, such as most recent tax documents and financial statements for the second half of calendar year 2020 and the first quarter of calendar year 2021. Providers should also search the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer to see what areas qualify as rural for the ARP rural payments.

For more information about how to apply for the PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural payments, visit: https://www.hrsa.gov/provider-relief/future-payments.

Providers who believe their Phase 3 PRF payment was not calculated correctly may now request a reconsideration. HHS has released detailed information about the methodology utilized to calculate Phase 3 payments. Additional detail on this reconsideration process will be forthcoming from HHS.

HHS has also announced a final 60-day grace period to comply with PRF reporting requirements for the September 30, 2021 deadline. The deadline to use the funds and the reporting time period will not change. Additional information may be found regarding the PRF Reporting requirements.

Discussions with Decisionmakers: Rep. Anthony Daniels

Posted by Christina Flack on September 3, 2021

Representative Daniels was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2014. He represents Alabama’s 53^rd District covering Madison County. In 2017, he became the youngest person and the first minority to ever become the House Minority Leader in Alabama. He is a graduate of Alabama A&M and is an elementary school teacher by trade. He also owns several small businesses with his wife.

What first prompted you to consider running office?

When I was 23, I became very involved with members of congress and the Bush administration. I think that’s where it started.

How does your background help serve you on the Legislature?

As a small business owner, and as teacher, I am constantly looking for ways to advocate. I am a leader before I am a teacher.

What are some of your legislative priorities this term?

Expanding access to quality healthcare which will in turn help our state, and help us provide quality care to those who are living check to check and can’t afford it. It would also help small businesses.

What are some health-related issues important to your district and your constituents?

I think that they want access to quality healthcare providers. We take for granted access to OBGYN’s or specialists and things like that, while many communities don’t have access to those types of physicians.

What do you think people understand the least about our health care system?

I think they don’t really understand the number of people that need access to healthcare and the number of communities that don’t have access to quality healthcare. The different communities have big differences in quality of healthcare and that is a problem.

If you could change anything about our state’s health care system, what would it be?

We need to look at how we reform our system. It needs to help people first. We need more flexible hours for things such as emergency care or telemedicine. Giving people the opportunity to have flexibility when they go to the doctor is very important to me.

Do you have a position on the expansion of Medicaid?

I am 100% in favor of it. I think it is a fundamental right. We’ve seen, during Covid, the exposure of underlying health conditions, many are because of lifestyle. These people aren’t just sitting at home doing nothing. They just need a helping hand, plain and simple.

How can the Medical Association – and physicians statewide – help you address Alabama’s health challenges?

I think that MASA can start building broader coalitions. People trust their doctors. I also think we need to educate people on what the expansion of Medicaid entails and not what it isn’t.

What is the one thing you would like to say to physicians in your district?

Continue to work hard and provide the quality care you always provide. Because of the hospital closures, it may feel overburdening, but expanding access to healthcare can help fix many issues.

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