The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on May 22 announced two distributions from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, known as the Provider Relief Fund, to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and Indian Health Service (IHS) providers.
HHS will distribute nearly $4.9 billion from the Provider Relief Fund to SNFs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing homes have faced a unique challenge in caring for high-risk seniors who are particularly vulnerable to complications if they contract COVID-19. HHS noted this additional funding is intended to offset lost revenue due to the public health emergency. Each SNF will receive a $50,000 base payment with an additional $2,500 per bed. SNFs with more than six beds are eligible for this distribution.
HHS also will distribute $500 million to the IHS and tribal hospitals, clinics, and urban health centers to support the tribal response to COVID-19. HHS notes IHS providers and programs have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and this funding is intended to provide continued support for the response within the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Eligible providers will receive payments calculated in three ways:
- IHS and tribal hospitals will receive a $2.81 million base payment plus 3 percent of their total operating expenses;
- IHS and tribal clinics and programs will receive a $187,000 base payments plus 5 percent of the estimated service population multiplied by the average cost per user; and
- IHS urban programs will receive a $181,000 base payment plus 6 percent of the estimated service population multiplied by the average cost per user.
The association developed a members only COVID-19 funding tracker, capturing opportunities for essential hospitals to access needed resources. We encourage all members to visit our coronavirus resource page for more information about the outbreak.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
