Author: Nicky Jackson, Marketing Campaign Manager, MCA
The CARES Act includes $100 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), also known as the Provider Relief Fund. The amount was increased by another $75 billion in the most recently enacted economic relief package. This program is intended to cover non-reimbursable health care related expenses or lost revenue directly attributable to coronavirus (COVID-19) and is being administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CARES Act also includes $200 million for a COVID-19 Telehealth Program being administered by the Federal Communications Commission.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Provider Relief Fund (PHSSEF)
Q: What is the deadline to apply?
A: Initial funds were automatically allocated to facilities and providers that received Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursements in 2019 without having to apply.
Q: Who is eligible for this fund?
A: All health care entities that provide health care, diagnoses, or testing; public entities, Medicare- or Medicaid-enrolled suppliers and providers, and other for-profit and nonprofit entities as specified by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary.
Q: What can the funds be used for?
A: All non-reimbursable expenses attributable to COVID-19 such as temporary structures, medical supplies and equipment, PPE, testing supplies, increased workforce, emergency operations centers, and surge capacity.
COVID19 Telehealth Program
Q: What is the deadline to apply?
A: Applications are open until the program’s funds have been expended or the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
Q: Who is eligible for this fund?
A: Eligible health care provider sites that treat patients, whether located in rural or non-rural areas or U.S. territories. Limited to certain categories of nonprofit and public eligible health care providers:
- post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools
- community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
- local health departments or agencies
- community mental health centers
- not-for-profit hospitals
- rural health clinics
- skilled nursing facilities
- consortia of health care providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories.
Q: What can the funds be used for?
A: Telecommunications, information services, and connected devices necessary to provide telehealth services to patients in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 30,000 customers trust Mobile Communications America (MCA) to provide wireless communication solutions for a safe, secure and more efficient workplace. As your trusted advisor, we reduce the time and effort needed to research, install, and maintain the right solutions to make your workplace better. MCA offers a variety of solutions that can be deployed to help healthcare agencies in their coronavirus response and mitigation efforts. Contact an MCA representative today at 1-866-958-7821.
Download the FREE Summary Guide to see the solutions you may be able to use your Provider Relief Fund or COVID-19 Telehealth Program fund on.