The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the deadline for physicians and other health care providers to apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funding to Sunday, September 13. HHS set aside $175 billion in relief funds, including to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This funding, along with additional relief funding outside of the CARES Act, supports healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 and ensures uninsured Americans can get treatment for COVID-19. The opportunity is open to all providers who want to apply for a Provider Relief Fund payment, regardless of network affiliation or payer contract. HHS is contracting with UnitedHealth Group to facilitate delivery of the funds.
To help interested applicants navigate the HHS portal application process, the National Council for Behavioral Health has updated its step-by-step Rules of the Road guide to include processes for all eligible providers. In addition, HHS has shared a step-by-step resource to help with this process.