HHS issued updates to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) FAQs, clarifying:

– HHS’s minimum amount of $100 for PRF payments (see page 2)

– HHS will refund returned payments that are determined to be $500 or more in excess of the required returned amount (see page 2)

– The process steps for returning any accrued interest for PRF payments that were held in an interest-earing account (see page 3)

– Eligible uses of PRF payments include the coverage of expenses related to (1) securing and maintaining personnel, including those incurred for hiring bonuses, retention payments, child care, transportation, and temporary housing; (2) third-party vendor services, such as food-patient nutrition services, facilities management, laundering, disinfection/anti-contamination services (see page 16)

– The cost of COVID-19 vaccines and administration fees may be covered by PRF payments provided that the full expense is not reimbursed through other sources, e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP (see pages 17, 27)