Advocacy & Practice Updates — Advocacy & Practice
HHS Extends Provider Relief Fund Attestation Deadline an Additional 45 Days; Clarifies Funds' Use for Salaries
HHS Extends Provider Relief Fund Attestation Deadline an Additional 45 Days; Clarifies Funds’ Use for Salaries
Following two previous extensions, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has further extended the deadline to attest to receiving CARES Act Provider Relief Funds and accept the terms and conditions or reject the funds. Providers now have 90 days from the date they received the funds to attest. If a provider does not take action within 90 days, HHS will consider that as acceptance of the funds. Today, June 3, is the last day recipients have to apply for additional funding. HHS has indicated entities that have already received amounts equivalent to at least 2% of their 2018 revenues will likely not be eligible for additional funds.
In updated FAQs released this week, HHS clarified its requirement in the terms and conditions that provider relief funds may not be used to compensate employees above Executive Level II, which is currently $197,300. HHS clarified that for employees who typically earn more than that level, provider relief funds may be used in compensation up to that level, however, the employer may continue to compensate the employee at his or her customary salary so long as no federal grant funds are used toward any amount above $197,300.
If you have questions, please contact Allison Madson, director of health policy.
(Published 6.3.20)