Volume 21.13
Over the weekend, the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) modified certain details regarding the Phase 4 PRF application. Information provided by HRSA now requires Phase 4 applicants to submit their Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) for validation before the previously provided deadline of Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This validation process may take a few days.
However, if the TIN validation is submitted by the deadline, October 26, 2021 (today) applicants now have until November 3, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST to complete and submit the application itself, including uploading the required documents to support the application. Remember, under current guidelines, if the TIN validation is not submitted today, you can not apply for any Phase 4 funding. The TIN validation only takes a few minutes for most providers.
We encourage providers not to wait until the last minute to submit the required information. No one wants a last-minute problem allowing the deadline to pass without a complete application being submitted.
Information regarding the change is available at Future Payments | Official web site of the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (hrsa.gov).
The reporting for the use of Phase 1 funding is still required to be made on or before November 30, 2021, due to the 60-day grace period provided by HRSA. The use of Phase 4 funding is currently scheduled for reporting between January 1 to March 31, 2023, and these funds are available for use through December 31, 2022.
HRSA has established a Provider Support Line at (856) 569-3522. Due to the large volume of calls, be prepared for substantial wait times to have your call answered.
COVID-19 PHE EXTENDED AGAIN
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) recently announced the extension of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE) to January 16, 2022. Many temporary healthcare regulatory provisions and waivers are automatically extended because of the extension of the PHE.
Waivers or Modification of Requirements under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act are available here. Additional information regarding requirement eligibility for waiver or modification are available here.
2021 COST REPORTING DEADLINES
We are already receiving calls regarding the potential extension of filing 2021 cost reports beyond the scheduled May 31, 2022, filing date. No announcement has been made and we do not expect an announcement until Spring 2022, at the earliest. Any future extensions, as were experienced in 2020 and 2021, will be largely dependent on additional extensions of the COVID-19 PHE.