JUL 09, 2020
HHS Clarifies Overpayment Procedure for Provider Relief Fund
Health care providers who think they may have received an overpayment from the Provider Relief Fund but have lost revenues and costs that exceed the payment are allowed to keep it, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Providers that have gotten money from the first two distributions from the Provider Relief Fund must attest and agree to the terms and conditions within 90 days of receiving it. Providers do not need to be able to prove that prior or future lost revenues and increased expenses are attributable to COVID-19 at the time they accept a Provider Relief Fund payment. If you believe you have received an overpayment but expect to have cumulative lost revenues and increased costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency that exceed the payment, you may keep it.
However, if you anticipate that you won’t have enough COVID-19-related eligible expenses or lost revenues equal to your payment, you should reject it in the Provider Relief Fund Attestation Portal and return the entire payment. You can also call the Provider Support Line at 866.569.3522 (for TYY, dial 711) for step-by-step instructions on returning the payment and receive the correct payment. See more HHS answers to your questions.