HHS Issues New Guidance on Reporting Requirements for Provider Relief Fund Recipients
On November 2, HHS issued updated Provider Relief Fund reporting guidance, which clarifies the reporting responsibilities of providers that have received $10,000 or more in Provider Relief Fund payments. The guidance clarifies how providers should calculate expenses attributable to COVID-19 and lost revenues–the two uses of Provider Relief Fund dollars. Since HHS issued updated reporting guidance in September, the definition of lost revenues has been a contentious topic. At that time, HHS essentially redefined lost revenues to mean lost profits. On October 22, HHS walked back the September guidance–redefining lost revenues to mean the 2019-to-2020 change in actual patient care revenues. This November 2 update maintains that same October 22 guidance methodology, and corrects a prior drafting error.