Some of you may have received an email from the US Department of Health regarding relief funds for health care providers who lost revenue due to COVID. Chiropractors are specifically identified on the list of eligible providers.
This announcement SPECIFICALLY states that funds can be received for lost revenue due to COVID that do not need to be repaid – up to 2% of your annual gross income.
In a nutshell, this is a “grant” to Medicare/Medicaid providers in order to assure the continuance of various types of health services, including chiropractic.
From the HHS website:
Qualified providers of health care, services, and support may receive Provider Relief Fund payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19
To be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Billed Medicaid / CHIP programs or Medicaid managed care plans for health-related services between Jan.1, 2018-Mar.31, 2020; or
Billed Medicare fee-for-service during the period of Jan.1, 2019-Mar. 31, 2020; or
Be a Medicare Part A provider that experienced a CMS approved change in ownership prior to Aug. 10, 2020; or
Received a prior targeted distribution
Additionally, to be eligible to apply, the applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
Filed a federal income tax return for fiscal years 2017, 2018, or 2019 if in operation before Jan. 1, 2020 or quarterly tax returns for fiscal year 2020 if operations began on or after Jan. 1, 2020; or be exempt from filing a return; and
Provided patient care after Jan. 31, 2020 (Note: patient care includes health care, services, and support, as provided in a medical setting, at home, or in the community); and
Did not permanently cease providing patient care directly or indirectly; and
For individuals providing care before Jan. 1, 2020, have gross receipts or sales from patient care reported on Form 1040 (or other tax form)
Note: Receipt of funds from SBA and FEMA for coronavirus recovery or of Medicaid HCBS retainer payments does not preclude a healthcare provider from being eligible.
All applicants must submit their TIN and financial information to the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal . Applicants who submit by Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET will be considered for funding.
Providers are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to expedite the calculation and distribution of payments. Providers should apply if they have lost revenues and/or increased expenses attributable to COVID-19
Your requirements after receiving funds:
Attest to receiving the funds
Report that the use of funds is to cover lost revenue attributable to COVID-19