PRF Reconsiderations Request Frequently Asked Questions

Phase 4 and ARP Rural

1. Is there a reconsiderations process for PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural payments?

   Yes, providers that have received a determination of their Phase 4/ARP Rural payment are now able to request reconsideration of their Phase 4/ARP Rural payments, subject to the availability of funds. The reconsideration window for Phase 4/ARP Rural opened on February 1, 2022. All Phase 4/ARP Rural applicants have 45 days from the date of their Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. An updated submission deadline will be established once the remaining Phase 4/ARP Rural payments are distributed.

2. Should I apply for a reconsideration if I have not yet received notification about my PRF Phase 4/ARP Rural payment?

   Please wait to submit a reconsideration request until have received your Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination. For any Phase 4/ARP Rural applicants who have yet to receive a payment determination from HRSA, those applicants will be given at least 45 days to apply for reconsideration. An updated submission deadline will be established once the remaining Phase 4/ARP Rural payments are distributed.

3. When will the reconsideration window for ARP Rural and Phase 4 close?

   The reconsideration window for ARP Rural/Phase 4 opened on February 1, 2022. The Phase 4/ARP Rural Reconsideration Request Form will be kept open beyond the original May 2, 2022 deadline to ensure that all Phase 4/ARP Rural applicants have 45 days from the date of their Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. An updated submission deadline will be established once the remaining Phase 4/ARP Rural payments are distributed.

4. How can I request reconsideration for Phase 4 and ARP Rural?

   To access the Phase 4/ARP Rural Reconsideration Request Form, and for more information about the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration request process, please visit the Provider Relief Fund Payment Reconsideration website.

5. What information will I need to request reconsideration of my Phase 4/ARP Rural application?

   In order to request reconsideration of your Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination, you will be asked to provide the following:

   • A copy of your payment determination letter from HRSA.
   • Your DocuSign Envelope ID. (Learn how to retrieve your DocuSign Envelope ID. )
   • The contact information and Tax ID Number (TIN) included on the original Phase 4/ARP Rural application.
   • The reason why you believe your Phase 4/ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly, tied to the PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Methodology.

   To access the Phase 4/ARP Rural Reconsideration Request Form, and for more information about the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration request process, please visit the Provider Relief Fund Payment Reconsideration website.

6. I forgot to check the box indicating that I wanted to be considered for an ARP Rural payment. Can I still apply for ARP Rural funds?

   No. The PRF reconsideration process is intended for providers who believe their payment was not calculated correctly. Providers will not be able to revise or correct their original application (e.g., elect to be considered for ARP Rural payment after the Phase 4/ARP Rural application was submitted).

7. I missed the deadline to apply for Phase 4/ARP Rural funding because I thought my TIN was already validated. Can I submit an application through the reconsiderations process?

   No. The deadline for submitting an application for Phase 4/ARP Rural funding has passed. The reconsiderations process does not offer providers an opportunity to submit an application for Phase 4 or ARP Rural payment after the deadline to do so has passed.

8. I attached the wrong documentation to my ARP Rural and Phase 4 application. Can I submit the correct information through the reconsiderations process?

   No. The PRF reconsiderations process is intended for providers who believe their payment was not calculated correctly. Providers were able to initiate a single application for both programs through October 26, 2021, with a deadline to submit the application of November 3, 2021 at 11:59:59 PM ET. To ensure program integrity and the equitable treatment of all applicants, HRSA is unable to edit a provider’s Phase 4/ARP Rural application. Providers will not be able to revise or correct their original application. In some cases, the PRF Reconsiderations Team will request additional or clarifying documentation from an applicant directly, as needed.

9. I missed the deadline to request reconsideration of my Phase 3 payment. Can I submit a reconsideration request now?

   No. The Phase 3 reconsiderations request submission window closed on November 12, 2021, and HRSA is now reviewing the requests that were received. HRSA is unable to accept new requests for reconsideration of Phase 3 payments.

10. I uploaded the wrong document with my Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration request as proof of my Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination from HRSA. What do I do?

    If the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration submission window is still open, please submit a second reconsideration request that includes the correct documentation. The PRF Reconsiderations Team will review the most recently submitted request and discard any previously submitted requests. If the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration submission window has closed and your submission included the wrong documentation, please wait to hear from HRSA. If we are able to link your reconsideration request to your original application, we will conduct our reconsideration review of the original application as it was submitted.

11. I haven’t received my payment determination from HRSA for Phase 4/ARP Rural. How do I apply for reconsideration without knowing what my payment determination is?

    For any Phase 4/ARP Rural applicants who have yet to receive a payment determination from HRSA, please be advised that you will be given at least 45 days to apply for reconsideration. All Phase 4/ARP Rural applicants will have 45 days from the date of their Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination notification to submit a reconsideration request. An updated submission deadline will be established once the remaining Phase 4/ARP Rural payments are distributed.

12. I haven’t heard back from HRSA regarding my Phase 3 payment reconsideration request. Can I still apply for a Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration?

    The Phase 3 reconsideration process is separate and independent from the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration process. Providers may request Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration, even if their Phase 3 reconsideration request is still being reviewed. Doing so will not affect the outcome of either the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration request or the Phase 3 reconsideration request.

13. I don’t understand my Phase 4 Payment/ARP Rural payment determination. How do I know if I should I apply for reconsideration?

    The PRF Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration process is intended for providers who believe their Phase 4/ARP Rural payment was not calculated correctly. Your reasoning for why you believe your Phase 4/ARP Rural payment was calculated incorrectly should be tied to the PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Methodology. Please review this methodology in full to better understand how HRSA arrived at Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determinations. For more information about the Phase 4/ARP Rural reconsideration process, please visit the Provider Relief Fund Payment Reconsideration website.

14. I received one payment for Phase 4. How do I determine how the base and bonus payments were calculated?

    Please review the PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payment Methodology in full to better understand how HRSA determined Phase 4 Base and Bonus payments. If you have further questions for HRSA about how your Phase 4 payment was determined, please contact HRSA’s Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522 (for TTY, dial 711).

15. I can’t find my Phase 4/ARP Rural payment determination letter from HRSA. What should I do?

    PRF payment determinations for Phase 4/ARP Rural are sent to providers via email from UHG_HRSA@ProviderEmail.uhc.com. Providers should check their email inboxes—including “Spam” and “Junk Mail” folders–to see if a determination has been sent. Providers are also advised to add this email address to their “Safe Sender” list and to also check their “Spam” and “Junk Mail” folders regularly. Doing so will ensure that payment determination emails sent to providers are received and that providers do not inadvertently miss their payment determination or related correspondence.

Phase 3

1. Who is eligible to request reconsideration of a Phase 3 payment determination?

   Any provider who applied for a Phase 3 payment and, after reviewing the PRF Phase 3 Calculation Methodology (PDF - 175 KB), believes their payment determination was incorrect based on the methodology may request reconsideration. HRSA will not be revising the methodologies for calculating PRF Phase 3 payments; requests based on a proposed change to methodology will not be (re)considered. The submission of a PRF Reconsideration Request to HRSA does not guarantee approval or adjustment to payment. Any correction to PRF payment determinations is subject to the availability of funds.

2. When may providers request reconsideration of a Phase 3 payment determination?

   Providers will be able to submit PRF Phase 3 reconsideration requests starting September 29. To apply, providers must submit the completed PRF Reconsideration Request form on-line by the submission deadline – 11:59:59 pm EST on November 12, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to facilitate review and expedite any revised payments made as a result of the reconsiderations process.

3. Is there a deadline for submitting a reconsideration request?

   Providers must submit the completed PRF Reconsideration Request form on-line at by the submission deadline – 11:59:59 pm EST on November 12, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to facilitate review and expedite any revised payments made as a result of the reconsiderations process.

4. What are the required steps for submitting a Phase 3 Payment Reconsideration Request?

   Required Steps for Submitting a Phase 3 Payment Reconsideration Request:

   • Step 1: Review the detailed PRF Phase 3 Calculation Methodology so that you understand how your payment was calculated.
     • HRSA will only consider reconsideration requests from providers who believe their Phase 3 payment calculation was incorrect.
     • HRSA will not consider reconsideration requests that require a change to methodology.
   • Step 2: Complete the PRF Reconsideration Request form .
   • Step 3: Submit the completed form on-line by the submission deadline - 11:59:59 pm EST on November 12, 2021. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to facilitate review and expedite any revised payments made as a result of the reconsiderations process.
5. What information and documents should I include in my request?

   You must complete the PRF Reconsideration Request form in DocuSign, which you can access through the PRF website. It is essential that you accurately and completely fill out all fields in the form, and use the same information as provided in your original submission, so that HRSA can quickly retrieve your application materials for review. The form includes a section to provide updated contact information, as appropriate. Beyond the intake form, you should not submit any other documentation with your initial request. HRSA will request any clarifying information, as needed.

6. Is there any information I should review prior to submitting a reconsideration request?

   Providers should review the PRF Phase 3 Payment Calculation Methodology (PDF - 175 KB) on the HHS website to understand how payments were calculated prior to submitting a reconsideration request. The methodology should guide you in your justification for your reconsiderations request.

   Providers should also review the PRF Phase 3 Instructions with regard to required information and documentation to check whether the requirements were met in the application.

7. What types of payment issues will be reconsidered?

   The reconsiderations process will provide a forum for correcting potential errors in PRF Phase 3 payment calculations. HRSA will not consider reconsideration requests that would require a change to payment methodology or policy. Providers may not revise or correct their submitted applications. The submission of a PRF Reconsideration Request to HRSA does not guarantee approval or adjustment to payment. Any correction to PRF payment determinations is subject to the availability of funds.

8. Who is likely to receive a payment through the Phase 3 reconsideration process?

   The reconsiderations process will provide a forum for correcting potential errors in PRF payment calculation. The submission of a PRF Reconsideration Request to HRSA does not guarantee approval or adjustment to payment. If HRSA determines that a payment was calculated incorrectly, a corrected payment may be issued. However, any correction to PRF payment determinations is subject to the availability of funds.

9. Are particular groups of providers more or less likely to receive a revised payment as a result of a Phase 3 reconsideration request?

   HRSA will not be revising the methodology for calculating PRF Phase 3 payments (PDF - 175 KB). Accordingly, providers who are unlikely to receive a revised payment as a result of a reconsiderations request include, but are not limited to:

   • Providers that fail the program integrity safeguards;
   • Pharmacy and durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers with annual patient care revenue capped at 10% of their total annual revenue;
   • New providers in 2019 and 2020 whose payments were adjusted according to the New Provider payment calculation;
   • Providers with ratio of annual patient care revenues to quarterly lost revenue that is greater than one standard deviation above the mean relative to other providers in the same provider type; and
   • Providers with a majority of their annual revenues occurring in one quarter of the year.
10. Will providers be given an opportunity to correct and resubmit their applications?

    The reconsiderations process will provide a forum for correcting potential errors in PRF Phase 3 payment calculation. HRSA will review applicants’ original submitted applications again and will request any clarifying information from the provider, as needed. Providers may not revise or correct their submitted application.

11. Why are you setting up a Phase 3 reconsideration process?

    To promote transparency in the PRF program, HHS has released detailed information about the methodology utilized to calculate Phase 3 payments (PDF - 175 KB). Providers who believe their Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to this methodology will now have an opportunity to request a reconsideration. HRSA recognizes that many providers have complex financial structures that may require additional review to confirm that payments were calculated as intended.

12. How much funding will be available for Phase 3 reconsiderations?

    Funding for Phase 3 reconsiderations will utilize unobligated balances from the Phase 3 general distribution. The total amount to be paid in response to reconsideration requests will be based on the number of requests received and whether HRSA determines that the initial payments were incorrectly calculated. Any correction to PRF payment determinations is subject to the availability of funding.

13. Why are we only developing a reconsideration process for Phase 3 and not Phases 1 and 2?

    Providers who received Phase 1 and Phase 2 General Distribution payments were eligible to apply for additional funding in Phase 3, and Phase 3 payments deducted payments received under the Phase 1 and Phase 2 General Distributions. Accordingly, the reconsiderations process is focused on Phase 3.

14. How do I know if I should submit a reconsideration request?

    Providers who believe their Phase 3 payment was not calculated correctly according to this methodology can submit a reconsideration request. You can review the PRF Phase 3 Payment Calculation Methodology (PDF - 175 KB).

15. How will I know HRSA received my request?

    Once your request received by HRSA, you will receive an auto-reply message acknowledging receipt of your request. Please maintain record of this email for future reference.

16. Who can I speak to if I have questions about the request form?

    If you require assistance completing the request form, please contact the Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522 (for TTY, dial 711).

17. Who can I speak to if I have questions specific to my application?

    If you require assistance regarding your specific application, please contact HRSA’s Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522 (for TTY, dial 711).

18. Which providers can submit a reconsideration request?

    Any provider that applied for Phase 3 of the Provider Relief Fund may submit a request for reconsideration.

19. When should I expect to hear back from HRSA about my request?

    Depending on the number of requests received and the complexity of the reviews, initial responses may not be provided until several weeks after submission. HRSA will send episodic status updates to your email address.

20. The point of contact information for my application has changed. How should I fill out the request form?

    Complete the request form with the same information as provided in your original submission, so that HRSA can quickly retrieve your application materials for review. In addition, complete the section of the form requiring updated contact information.

21. I don’t have my (Docusign) application envelope identification number. What should I do?

    Information about how to find a DocuSign Envelope ID is available .

22. How were the Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) General Distribution payment determinations made?

    For more information on the payment methodology, please review the Phase 3 PRF General Distribution Methodology (PDF - 175 KB).

23. I have additional questions about the Phase 3 PRF General Distribution. Who can I contact at HRSA?

    The Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522 (for TTY, dial 711) is available if you need additional assistance. When calling, providers should have ready the following information:

    • The recipient's or applicant's Tax Identification Number (TIN)
    • The name of the recipient or applicant as it appears on the most recent tax filing
    • The mailing address for the recipient or applicant as it appears on the most recent tax filing.
24. I was going back and forth with the PRF case management team prior to establishment of this process. Do I still need to submit a form?

    HRSA has the information needed to process reconsideration requests received from several providers through PRF case management prior to July 2021 and will be confirming with those providers via email that they do not need to submit a new reconsideration request. If you do not receive an email confirming that you do not need to submit a reconsideration request, you should submit an application on-line at [insert link] by the submission deadline - 11:59:59 pm EST on November 12, 2021.

25. I made a request for reconsideration prior to establishment of this process and was denied. Can I still submit a reconsideration request now?

    Yes, you may submit a reconsideration request now, even if you were previously denied a reconsideration request or told that there was no appeals process for the Provider Relief Fund.

26. Will submitting a reconsideration request impact any potential payment under Phase 4?

    Submitting a Phase 3 reconsideration request does not affect a provider’s eligibility for a PRF Phase 4 or ARP Rural payment. It is possible that some providers’ Phase 4 payments will be delayed, as HRSA works to ensure that prior payments are not inadvertently factored into both the Phase 4 payment and a reconsidered Phase 3 payment.