Medicaid & CHIP Provider Relief Fund

Jun 26, 2020
This month, HHS added Medicaid and CHIP providers to the groups eligible to receive funding through the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. Apply by July 20.

This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) added Medicaid and CHIP providers to the groups eligible to receive funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund. HHS has allocated $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution. Applications for the Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund payment are due by July 20, 2020.

In order to receive funding providers must meet all 6 of the following criteria outlined by HHS:

  1. Must not have received payment from the $50 billion General Distribution
  2. Must have directly billed Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans for healthcare-related services during the period of January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, or own an included subsidiary that has billed Medicaid for healthcare-related services during the period of January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019
  3. Must have either filed a federal income tax return for fiscal years 2017, 2018 or 2019 or be exempt from the requirement to file a federal income tax return and have no beneficial owner that is required to file a federal income tax return. (e.g. a state-owned hospital or healthcare clinic)
  4. Must have provided patient care after January 31, 2020
  5. Must not have permanently ceased providing patient care
  6. If the applicant is an individual, have gross receipts or sales from providing patient care reported on Form 1040, Schedule C, Line 1

Additionally, HHS will work with state Medicaid agencies to receive a curated list of Medicaid providers in the state. If a Medicaid or CHIP provider is excluded from the list, HHS will work with the respective state Medicaid agency to confirm the provider’s eligibility through a separate process.

Once a provider has been granted relief funds they must consent to the terms and conditions of the payment within 90 days of receipt. If a provider does not wish to accept the funds, or does not wish to accept the terms and conditions of the payment, the provider must reject funds and attestation within 90 days. If a recipient does not take action within 90 days, they are assumed to consent to the terms and conditions.

Providers can apply for the funds and sign the attestation through the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal. More information on how to apply and instruction on how to navigate the portal can be found at: