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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Provider Notice Issued 07/23/2020

​Date:    July 23, 2020

 

 

To:       All Medical Assistance Program Providers

 

Re:      Deadline Extension: Federal Provider Relief Fund Payment Update for Medicaid and CHIP Providers

 

 

 

 

The Department would like to alert Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers to an extension in the due date to apply for COVID-19 CARES Act Provider Relief Fund payments directly from the federal government. The Department originally informed providers of this payment opportunity via informational notice dated June 12, 2020. According to federal CMS, as of July 15th only 267 out of 9,465 eligible Medicaid and CHIP providers in Illinois had applied for funding. HFS encourages providers who have not yet started the application process to apply.

 

Federal CMS has extended the original application deadline for Medicaid provider relief funding from July 20th to August 3, 2020. This applies to all providers, but medical, dental, and long-term services and supports (LTSS) providers are especially encouraged to begin the application process.

 

Additional updated information about the provider relief funds available from CMS and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is below. CMS advises that a technical change to the portal has been corrected and providers who do not have license numbers should now be able to select “Not Applicable” and advance through the application process. Providers who may have previously accessed the portal and encountered this issue should be aware that it has been resolved. HRSA may not be able to validate a provider’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) at the time of application. HRSA will follow up with the Department to validate the provider’s participation in the State’s Medicaid program. Per HRSA instructions, no additional action is required by the provider for TIN validation.

 

Resources from HRSA on the Provider Relief Fund for providers:

 

  • Program Overview

The bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act provide $175 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers, including those on the front lines of the coronavirus response. A portion of these funds, under the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provider Distribution, provide help for providers and clinicians who treat our most vulnerable populations, including low-income and minority patients. This is allocated for eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP Programs and that did not receive a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Allocation. The payment to each provider will be approximately 2% of reported gross revenue from patient care.

 

  • Fact Sheet

HRSA released a Fact Sheet for Medicaid and CHIP providers that is now available on the Provider Relief Fund website 

 

 

  • Upcoming Webcast

 

 

Register for the July 27th webcast to learn more about the application process at:

 

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html

 

 A recording of the June 25, 2020 webcast is also now available

 

·         Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In order to better address provider concerns, HRSA has updated their FAQs to address common questions, including those submitted during the previous webcasts. The FAQs include expanded information on eligibility, application, payment process, and more.

 

  • Application Instructions

Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Instructions and the Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Application Form are available at www.hhs.gov/providerrelief. HRSA recommends downloading and reviewing these documents to help you complete the process through the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal. 

 

·         Additional Information
For additional information, please call the Provider Support Line at (866) 569-3522; for TTY, dial 711. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Service staff members are available to provide real-time technical assistance, as well as service and payment support.

 

Please continue to monitor HFS provider notices for other COVID-19 related announcements

 

 

Kelly Cunningham

Interim Medicaid Administrator