More time to report COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds, avoid recoupment

Physicians now have more time to report COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds (PRF) and avoid recoupment of the money, following advocacy from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and other groups.

Physicians and others who received more than $10,000 in PRF money and have not submitted their Period 1 report may submit a late reporting request until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 22. Practices should receive information about how to submit a request from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) via email. If your practice did not submit a Period 1 report and does not hear from HRSA, you may call the agency at (866) 569-3522.

The HRSA reopened the reporting period after the AAFP and others told the agency in a March 31 letter that some physician practices were unaware of the deadline, and the potential recoupment of PRF money could particularly impact small and rural practices.

During this reopened reporting period, PRF recipients must attest to an extenuating circumstance that prevented compliance with the original deadline, but no supporting documentation is required. If HRSA approves the extenuated circumstances form, it will send the practice a notification to proceed with the Period 1 report shortly thereafter. Recipients will then have 10 days after receiving that communication to submit their report via the PRF Reporting Portal.

— Kent Moore, senior strategist for physician payment, American Academy of Family Physicians

Posted on April 15, 2022, by Kent Moore