Although President Donald Trump promised Newsmax earlier this month that he would “certainly look into it,” several ambulance professionals and their representatives have since told us they have seen none of the operating funds in question from the Department of Health and Human Services.
American Ambulance Association Medicare Consultant Brian Werfel, Esq provides a brief update on the HHS COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund.
July 20, 2020
The purpose of this notice is to inform Provider Relief Fund (PRF) recipients that received one or more payments exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate from the PRF of the timing of future reporting requirements. Detailed instructions regarding these reports will be released by August 17, 2020.
Congress appropriated funding to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care related expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is administering the distribution of payments under the PRF program, funded through appropriations in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139). Each recipient of a payment from the PRF that used any part of that payment agreed to a set of Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) which, among other obligations, require each recipient to submit reports to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The reports shall be in such form, with such content, as specified by the Secretary of HHS in future program instructions directed to all recipients. HHS will be releasing detailed reporting instructions by August 17, 2020.
These reporting instructions will provide directions on reporting obligations applicable to any provider that received a payment from the following CARES Act/PRF distributions:
The reports will allow providers to demonstrate compliance with the T&Cs, including use of funds for allowable purposes, for each PRF payment. HRSA plans to provide recipients with Question and Answer (Q&A) Sessions via Webinar in advance of the submission deadline. Additional details will follow regarding the Q&A Sessions.
The reporting system will become available to recipients for reporting on October 1, 2020.
From Stat on June 29, 2020 by Hanan Cohen of Empress EMS and Patient Care EMS Solutions
Medicare shouldn’t make ground ambulance services take a financial hit for providing at-home care
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began sweeping across the U.S., ambulance crews have been treating some patients at home rather than risking a hospital surge — and aren’t getting paid for it. At a time when ambulance services are on the frontlines of care, not just transport, Medicare is treating ambulances like expensive taxicabs.
Treating people in place — at the scene of a medical emergency, which can include the home, a long-term care facility, or other location — has become the expected standard of care, especially during the pandemic. Some states even mandate it. But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees Medicare payments, refuses to pay companies for the cost of providing medically necessary health care services if the patient is not transported to a hospital or other designated destination.
As a result, ground ambulance organizations that are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic on the frontlines by treating people with everything from low blood sugar to dehydration are taking a massive financial hit. And it’s coming at the worst time.
Earlier today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) posted a revised set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the terms and details of payments distributed under the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to Medicare providers including ground ambulance service providers and suppliers. The updated FAQs cover a range of topics regarding…
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote later today on the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act “HEROES Act” (H.R. 6800). The HEROES Act is the House Democratic proposal for the latest legislative effort on economic relief related to COVID-19. The House is expected to pass the HEROES Act along party…
Savvik Buying Group is trying to find out what your services are still needing in the way of COVID related items. They have created a quick, 4 question survey to assist. As an incentive, Savvik will be selecting five entries who will win a $500.00 gift certificate from 5.11 tactical. …
MEMBER ADVISORY Recently there have been several states where legislative efforts have been filed or legislation passed related to the provision of Hazard Pay for front line healthcare and public safety workers. In addition, there are suggestions that the next federal stimulus package may include provisions for hazard pay for those responding to this pandemic….
Download as PDF As you begin the process of returning employees to their usual on-campus workspace, be sure to consider all angles and implications of a returning workforce. It can be helpful to create a Re-Entry Task Force as part of this process. Including representatives from all areas of your business ensures needs, concerns, and…
On May 1, 2020, CMS updated its “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing.” The full document can be viewed by clicking here. In the updated FAQ, CMS answers three important questions related to ambulance vehicle and staffing requirements: Expired Ambulance Operating Licenses. CMS was asked whether a ground ambulance vehicle operating…
By Kathy Lester, J.D., M.P.H Ground ambulance services and the organizations who provide them play a critically important role in helping America combat the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. The members of the American Ambulance Association (AAA) are on the frontlines and often the first health care providers to interact with patients who suspect they are infected with…
HHS Updates Guidance on Provider Relief Funding for Uninsured to include Air and Water Ambulance The Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its guidance on the disbursement of provider relief funds under the CARES Act for the testing and treatment of the uninsured. Previously, HHS indicated that this allocation was only available for…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2020
CMS Reevaluates Accelerated Payment Program and Suspends Advance Payment Program
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is reevaluating the amounts that will be paid under its Accelerated Payment Program and suspending its Advance Payment Program to Part B suppliers effective immediately. The agency made this announcement following the successful payment of over $100 billion to healthcare providers and suppliers through these programs and in light of the $175 billion recently appropriated for healthcare provider relief payments.
CMS had expanded these temporary loan programs to ensure providers and suppliers had the resources needed to combat the beginning stages of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding will continue to be available to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response primarily from the Provider Relief Fund. The Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Programs are typically used to give providers emergency funding and address cash flow issues for providers and suppliers when there is disruption in claims submission or claims processing, including during a public health emergency or Presidentially-declared disaster.
Since expanding the AAP programs on March 28, 2020, CMS approved over 21,000 applications totaling $59.6 billion in payments to Part A providers, which includes hospitals. For Part B suppliers, including doctors, non-physician practitioners and durable medical equipment suppliers, CMS approved almost 24,000 applications advancing $40.4 billion in payments. The AAP programs are not a grant, and providers and suppliers are typically required to pay back the funding within one year, or less, depending on provider or supplier type. Beginning today, CMS will not be accepting any new applications for the Advance Payment Program, and CMS will be reevaluating all pending and new applications for Accelerated Payments in light of historical direct payments made available through the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Provider Relief Fund.
Significant additional funding will continue to be available to hospitals and other healthcare providers through other programs. Congress appropriated $100 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL 116-136) and $75 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PL 116-139) for healthcare providers. HHS is distributing this money through the Provider Relief Fund, and these payments do not need to be repaid.
The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund is being administered through HHS and has already released $30 billion to providers, and is in the process of releasing an additional $20 billion, with more funding anticipated to be released soon. This funding will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure uninsured Americans can get treatment for COVID-19.
For more information on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and how to apply, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief
For an updated fact sheet on the Accelerated and Advance Payment Programs, visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/
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UPDATED: HHS Opens Portal for Healthcare Providers and Suppliers to Apply for Second Tranche of CARES Act Provider Relief Funding Updated April 24, 2020 at 9:40 pm | Register for AAA’s 4/27 webinar on this topic► At 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services opened the online portal…
HHS Announces Plans for Distribution of Remaining CARES Act Provider Relief Funding By Brian S. Werfel, Esq. March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As part of that Act, Congress allocated $100 billion to the creation of a “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund,” which…
Thank you to PEW Stateline journalist Michael Ollove for taking the time to learn about EMS economics from AAA Payment Reform Chair Asbel Montes and Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin President Chris Anderson.
Stay-at-home orders have paused many activities that resulted in emergency calls, such as traffic accidents and shootings, said Chris Anderson, director of operations for Bell Ambulance in Wisconsin. As for non-emergency transportation, many people want to avoid health facilities now if they can, he said.
Asbel Montes, a senior vice president with Acadian Companies, a Louisiana-based firm operating 500 ambulances in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, said emergency calls have dropped by 30% and non-emergency calls by 70%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to HHS CARES Act Provider Relief Funding By Brian S. Werfel, Esq. In March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As part of that Act, Congress allocated $100 billion to the creation of a “CARES Act Provider Relief Fund,”…
