CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: For Providers

The Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal is now open for recipients who are required to report during Reporting Period 1. Learn more.

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What is the Provider Relief Fund?

The Provider Relief Fund supports healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPCHE), the federal government has allocated $178 billion in payments to be distributed through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF).

Qualified providers of health care, services, and support may receive Provider Relief Fund payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19. Separately, the COVID-19 Uninsured Program reimburses providers for testing and treating uninsured individuals with COVID-19.

These distributions do not need to be repaid to the US government, assuming providers comply with the terms and conditions.

What does "provider" mean?

Any provider of health care, services, and support in a medical setting, at home, or in the community, including, but not limited to:

  • Acute care hospitals
  • Ambulatory surgical centers
  • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Behavioral health providers (e.g., substance use disorder, counseling, psychiatric services)
  • Dental services
  • Diagnostic services (e.g., independent imaging, radiology, labs)
  • DME / suppliers
  • Eye and vision services
  • Home and community-based support (e.g., housing services, care navigators, case management)
  • Home health agencies
  • Inpatient behavioral facilities (e.g., inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, other residential facilities)
  • Multi-specialty practices
  • Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities
  • Other ancillary services (e.g., chiropractors, speech and language pathologists, physical therapy, occupational therapy)
  • Other inpatient facilities
  • Other outpatient clinics (e.g., urgent care, dialysis center)
  • Other services (e.g., foster care, developmental disability services)
  • Other single-specialty practices
  • Pediatrics practices
  • Pharmacies (Note: Prescription sales revenue may not be reported as part of revenue from patient care.)
  • Primary care practices

How to Apply for Phase 3 General Distribution

1. Determine Eligibility

All providers eligible for a previous PRF distribution, plus new 2020 providers and behavioral health providers may apply.

Providers may be eligible regardless of whether they were eligible for, applied for, received, accepted, or rejected payment from prior PRF distributions. This includes providers who do not bill Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP.

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Billed Medicaid / CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans for health-related services between Jan.1, 2018-Mar.31, 2020; or
  • Billed a health insurance company for oral healthcare-related services as a dental service provider as of Mar. 31, 2020; or
  • Be a licensed dental service provider as of Mar. 31, 2020 who does not accept insurance and has billed patients for oral healthcare-related services; or
  • Billed Medicare fee-for-service during the period of Jan.1, 2019-Mar. 31, 2020; or
  • Be a Medicare Part A provider that experienced a CMS approved change in ownership prior to Aug. 10, 2020; or
  • Be a state-licensed / certified assisted living facility as of Mar. 31, 2020
  • Be a behavioral health provider as of Mar. 31, 2020 who has billed a health insurance company or who does not accept insurance and has billed patients for healthcare-related services as of Mar. 31, 2020
  • Received a prior targeted distribution

Additionally, to be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Filed a federal income tax return for fiscal years 2017, 2018, or 2019 if in operation before Jan. 1, 2020 or quarterly tax returns for fiscal year 2020 if operations began on or after Jan. 1, 2020; or be exempt from filing a return; and
  • Provided patient care after Jan. 31, 2020 (Note: patient care includes health care, services, and support, as provided in a medical setting, at home, or in the community); and
  • Did not permanently cease providing patient care directly or indirectly; and
  • For individuals providing care before Jan. 1, 2020, have gross receipts or sales from patient care reported on Form 1040 (or other tax form)

Note: Receipt of funds from SBA and FEMA for coronavirus recovery or of Medicaid HCBS retainer payments does not preclude a healthcare provider from being eligible.

2. Validate Tax ID Number (TIN)

Provider registers in portal and enters TIN

Recognized TINs will be automatically validated and the provider may re-enter portal to complete application. This includes:

  • TINs from a state-provided 3rd party list
  • TINs that were previously verified in prior PRF distributions

Unrecognized TINs will go through a three-step validation process. Please allow four weeks for TIN validation.

  1. HHS shares unrecognized provider TINs with 3rd party validators, including Medicaid / CHIP agencies, dental organizations, national provider organizations, etc. (7-10 business days)
  2. Validator reviews applicant information for eligibility (e.g. actively in practice, in good standing, etc.) and shares results with HRSA (7-10 business days*)
    *Assumes validator responds within requested timeframe
  3. HRSA accepts determination, updates portal, and notifies applicant they can re-enter portal to apply (3-5 business days)

For more information on Tax ID Numbers (TINs), read the TIN Validation FAQs.

3. Apply for Funding

All applicants must submit their TIN and financial information to the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal. Applicants who submit by Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET will be considered for funding.

Providers are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to expedite the calculation and distribution of payments. Providers should apply if they have lost revenues and/or increased expenses attributable to COVID-19 that have not been reimbursed by other sources.

To learn about the application process:

For reference:

Required documentation:

  • Most recent federal income tax returns for 2017, 2018, or 2019 if in operation before Jan. 1, 2020 or quarterly tax returns for fiscal year 2020 if operations began on or after Jan. 1, 2020, unless exempt from filing a return
  • Revenue worksheet (if required by Field 15)
  • Operating revenues and expenses from patient care

Note: Providers will need to submit a new application, even if they previously submitted revenue details for a prior PRF distribution; the application has been updated to include some additional data entries in order to calculate payment based on financial impact of COVID-19.

4. Receive Payment

  • Phase 3 General Distribution supports providers who have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19, as measured by changes in their revenues and expenses from patient care
  • If a provider did not previously receive approximately 2% of annual revenues from patient care, they will receive this amount consistent with prior general distributions, plus their Phase 3 allocation
  • Payments received in prior PRF distributions will be considered when calculating a provider's Phase 3 payment
  • All PRF distributions will be paid to the Filing or Organizational TIN, and not directly to subsidiary TINs
  • Providers receiving >$100,000 must sign up for Optum Pay in order to support program integrity

For more detailed information on receiving payment, please see Provider Relief Fund FAQs.

5. Attest to Payment

Recipients who receive Provider Relief Fund payments must accept or reject funds within 90 days* through the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal.

*Not actively attesting within 90 days will be viewed as acceptance.

  • To accept payment, the recipient must agree to the terms and conditions of the payment
  • To reject payment, the recipient must return funds to HHS within 15 calendar days of the attestation

Requirements from the Provider Relief Fund terms and conditions include (not exhaustive):

  • To be eligible, provider must have provided diagnosis, testing, or care for actual or possible COVID-19 patients on or after Jan.31, 2020 (Note: HHS broadly views every patient as a possible case of COVID-19 for purposes of eligibility)
  • Payment will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and reimburse healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus
  • Payment will not be used for expenses or losses that have been or will be reimbursed from other sources
  • Recipient consents to public disclosure of payment

For information about how to accept the funds, see the Attestation FAQs, the Terms and Conditions FAQs, and review the Terms and Conditions.

For information about how to reject the funds, read the Rejecting Payments FAQs.

6. Report on Use of Funds

All recipients of Provider Relief Fund payments are required to comply with the reporting requirements described in the Terms and Conditions and specified in future directions issued by the HHS Secretary.

HHS will require recipients to submit future reports relating to the recipient's use of Provider Relief Fund money.

Provider Relief Fund payments may be used to cover lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 or health-related expenses purchased to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including but not limited to:

  • Supplies
  • Equipment
  • Workforce training
  • Reporting COVID-19 test results to federal, state, or local governments
  • Building or constructing temporary structures for COVID-19 patient care or non-COVID-19 patients in a separate area
  • Acquiring additional resources, including facilities, supplies, or staffing to expand or preserve care delivery
  • Developing and staffing emergency operation centers

Recipients of >$10,000 will be required to submit reports about the use of their Provider Relief Fund distribution.

For additional information, visit the Reporting Requirements and Auditing page and read the Auditing and Reporting Requirements FAQs.


Already Applied and Looking for Your Status?

If you have already submitted your application, you should have received confirmation regarding your application status. If you have additional questions, please contact the provider support line at (866) 569-3522; for TTY dial 711. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.


How to Attest to the Payment

All recipients of Provider Relief Fund payments must sign an attestation within 90 days of the payment to confirm its receipt.

  • To accept the funds, recipients must also agree to the distribution's Terms and Conditions within 90 days of the payment.
  • To reject the funds, recipients must return the funds within 15 calendar days of the attestation.

Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal

This portal is currently open to recipients who have received a payment from the Phase 2 and/or Phase 3 General Distributions.

Sign Attestation

CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Attestation Portal

This portal is currently open to recipients who received a payment from any of the Phase 1 General Distributions and select Targeted Distributions listed below.

Phase 1 General Distribution

  • Initial $30 Billion General Distribution
  • $20 Billion General Distribution

Select Targeted Distributions

  • COVID-19 High-Impact Area Distribution
  • Rural Distribution
  • Allocation for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
  • Allocation for Indian Health Services (IHS)
  • Allocation for Safety Net Hospitals
  • Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution (formally known as the Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution)
Sign Attestation

Request Reimbursement for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment of the Uninsured

Health care providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis can electronically request claims reimbursement. They will be reimbursed generally at Medicare rates, subject to available funding.

COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal

This portal is for providers to seek reimbursement for COVID-19 testing and treatment of uninsured individuals on or after February 4, 2020.

Request Reimbursement

Request Reimbursement for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees of the Underinsured

Health care providers who have administered COVID-19 vaccines to underinsured patients (defined as those enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing) can electronically request claims reimbursement. Providers will be reimbursed generally at Medicare rates, subject to available funding.

COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund Portal

This portal is for providers to seek reimbursement for administering COVID-19 vaccines to underinsured individuals on or after December 14, 2020.

Request Reimbursement

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions Description
Phase 3 General Distribution Relief Fund Terms and Conditions The recipients have received a payment appropriated as part of Phase 3 General Distribution, including Medicaid, CHIP, dental, assisted living facilities, behavioral health and other providers.
Phase 2 General Distribution Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipients have received a payment appropriated as part of Phase 2 General Distribution, including Medicaid, CHIP, dental, and other providers.

Relief Fund Payment from $30 Billion General Distribution

The recipient automatically received payment from the initial $30 billion general distribution.

Relief Fund Payment $20 Billion General Distribution

The recipient has received payment from the additional $20 billion general distribution.

High Impact Area Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received payment from funds appropriated as part of the targeted allocations known as the High Impact Area Targeted Distribution.
Rural Targeted Distribution The recipient has received payment from fundsappropriated as part of the targeted allocations known as the Rural Targeted Distribution.
Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Testing Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received payment from funds appropriated in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for COVID-19 testing and related expenses.
$4.9 Billion Skilled Nursing Facility Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received payment from funds appropriated as part of the targeted allocations.
$4.5 billion Nursing Home Infection Control (formally known as the Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution) Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received payment from funds appropriated as part of the targeted allocations in the Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution (formally known as the Skilled Nursing Facility and Nursing Home Infection Control Distribution). This includes performance-based payments made as part of the Quality Incentive Payment (QIP) Program.
Indian Health Service Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received a payment from the Tribal Distribution, part of the targeted allocations.
Safety Net Provider Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions The recipient has received a payment appropriated as part of the safety net targeted distribution.

FFCRA Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions

The recipient plans to submit claims for reimbursement for COVID-19 testing and/or testing related items and services provided to FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) Uninsured Individuals.

Uninsured Relief Fund Payment Terms and Conditions

The recipient plans to submit claims for reimbursement for care or treatment related to positive diagnoses of COVID-19 provided to individuals who do not have any health care coverage at the time the services were provided.

COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund Payment Terms and Conditions

The recipient plans to submit claims for reimbursement for administering COVID-19 vaccines to underinsured patients (defined as those enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing).

For questions or support related to the Provider Relief Fund programs, call (866) 569-3522; for TTY dial 711. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT.

For questions related to the COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund program, call (833) 967-0770 / TTY: (888) 970-2920. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.


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Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
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