By Keiter CPAs
Deadlines for Expending and Reporting for Provider Relief Fund Recipients
What is the Provider Relief Fund?
In addition to the Paycheck Protection Program, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated over $175 billion for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 1, 2020, the PRF was expanded by an additional $24.5 billion of funds and the eligibility to previously excluded practices, such as behavioral health providers.
Qualified providers of healthcare, services, and support may use the PRF payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19.
The PRF is administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under CFDA #93.498. In contrast to the Paycheck Protection Program, the PRF is a “use it, or return it” program where any unused funds must be returned to the HHS. If you affirmatively attested to a Provider Relief Fund payment already received and later wish to reject those funds and retract your attestation, you may do so by calling the provider support line at (866) 569-3522; for TTY dial 711.
Provider Relief Fund Key Updates Summary
On June 11, 2021, HHS announced several updates extending the key deadlines for expending and reporting on PRF payments for recipients who received payments after June 30, 2020. The revised reporting requirements will be applicable to providers who received one or more payments exceeding in the aggregate, $10,000 during a single Payment Received Period.
Additionally, HHS revised the audit requirement for commercial organizations and extended the due date for the audit report by six months. Commercial organizations that expend (rather than receive) $750,000 or more in annual awards have two options under 45 CFR 75.216(d) and 75.501(i): 1) a financial related audit of the award or awards conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards; or 2) an audit in conformance with the requirements of 45 CFR 75.514 (Single Audit). Provider Relief Fund General and Targeted Distribution payments (93.498) and Uninsured Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration reimbursement payments (93.461) must be included in determining whether an audit in accordance with 45 CFR Subpart F is required (i.e., annual total awards expended are $750,000 or more). Audit reports of commercial organizations must be submitted via email to HRSA’s Division of Financial Integrity at PRFaudits@hrsa.gov.
The revised due date for audits of PRF Payments is 15 months from the commercial entities’ year-end. For example, a commercial entity with a December 30, 2020 year-end will be required to submit their audit report by March 31, 2022.
Major Updates
- The period of availability of funds is based on the date the payment is received (rather than requiring all payments be used by June 30, 2021, regardless of when they were received).
Summary of Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements
| Payment Received Period (Payments Exceeding $10,000 in Aggregate Received) | Deadline to Use Funds | Reporting Time Period | |
| Period 1 | From April 10, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2021 | July 1 to September 30, 2021 |
| Period 2 | From July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2021 | January 1 to March 31, 2022 |
| Period 3 | From January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2022 | July 1 to September 30, 2022 |
| Period 4 | From July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2022 | January 1 to March 31, 2023 |
- Recipients are required to report for each Payment Received Period in which they received one or more payments exceeding, in the aggregate, $10,000 (rather than $10,000 cumulatively across all PRF payments).
- Recipients will have a 90-day period to complete reporting (rather than a 30-day reporting period). Providers must submit reporting to the portal by the last day of the relevant reporting period.
- The reporting requirements are now applicable to recipients of Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution in addition to General and other Targeted Distributions.
- The PRF Reporting Portal will open for providers to start submitting information on July 1, 2021.
Additionally, HHS has updated the steps to the reporting requirements. Access the updates.
Providers should complete registration to the reporting portal and gather documentation to support usage of PRF payments to reimburse providers for healthcare related expenditures or lost revenues attributable to COVID-19.
For assistance with reporting and auditing inquiries, contact your Keiter Opportunity Advisor or Email | Call: 804.747.0000.
Additional PRF Resources
About the Author
Keiter CPAs
Keiter CPAs is a certified public accounting firm serving the audit, tax, accounting and consulting needs of businesses and their owners located in Richmond and across Virginia. We focus on serving emerging growth businesses and companies in the financial services, construction, real estate, manufacturing, retail & distribution industries and nonprofits. We also provide business valuations and forensic accounting services, family office services, and inbound international services.
More Insights from Keiter CPAsThe information contained within this article is provided for informational purposes only and is current as of the date published. Online readers are advised not to act upon this information without seeking the service of a professional accountant, as this article is not a substitute for obtaining accounting, tax, or financial advice from a professional accountant.
