Several weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new $5 billion Provider Relief Fund distribution for nursing facilities. HHS is distributing an initial $2.5 billion of this funding to support facilities’ COVID-19 infection control efforts (Infection Control Provider Relief Fund Allocation), specifically the new testing required of nursing facilities at least once a month and up to twice a week, and a number of IHCA/INCAL members have reported receiving those funds this week. Each nursing facility is expected to receive $10,000 plus $1,450 per certified bed. The notification from HHS and a FAQ document on this allocation can be found below.
Access Here [Updated August 31, 2020]
Access Provider relief fund infection control faqs
Please note, the Terms and Conditions for the Infection Control Provider Relief Fund Allocation, which can be found in full here, are different than previous allocations. Specifically, recipients must certify that they will not use the allocation to reimburse expenses or losses that have been reimbursed from other sources or that other sources are obligated to reimburse. Recipients must also certify that the allocation will only be used to reimburse the recipient for costs associated with the following items and services:
- Costs associated with administering COVID-19 testing, which means an in vitro diagnostic test defined in section 809.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations for the detection of SARS–CoV–2 or the diagnosis of the virus that causes COVID–19, and the administration of such a test, that:
- Is approved, cleared, or authorized under section 510(k), 513, 515, or 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360(k), 360c, 360e, 360bbb–3);
- The developer has requested, or intends to request, emergency use authorization under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb–3), unless and until the emergency use authorization request under such section 564 has been denied or the developer of such test does not submit a request under such section within a reasonable timeframe;
- Is developed in and authorized by a state that has notified the Secretary of HHS of its intention to review tests intended to diagnose COVID-19; or
- Other test that the Secretary determines appropriate in guidance.
- Reporting COVID-19 test results to local, state, or federal governments.
- Hiring staff, whether employees or independent contractors, to provide patient care or administrative support.
- Expenses incurred to improve infection control, including activities such as implementing infection control “mentorship” programs with subject matter experts or changes made to physical facilities.
- Providing additional services to residents, such as technology that permits residents to connect with their families if the families are not able to visit in person.
Recipients are encouraged to establish separate accounts for each award from the Provider Relief Fund for accounting purposes and future reporting to HHS. The balance of the $5 billion will be distributed at a later time and will be based on various COVID-19 related performance measures.