On July 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) notified recipients of Provider Relief Fund (“PRF”) payments via e-mail that the PRF Reporting Portal is now open for providers who are required to report on the use of funds in Reporting Period 1 as described by HHS’s June 11, 2021 update to the reporting requirements.

HRSA also provided resource guides and FAQs to assist providers with understanding the reporting requirements and how to access and use the Reporting Portal. HRSA’s resources included a few notable clarifications and confirmations. First, if a provider received multiple payments across multiple time periods, HRSA clarified that the provider must report during each reporting time period which corresponds to the payment received period. In other words, a provider who received and used all of the PRF payments over various time periods is not allowed to report everything in the initial report and will have to file multiple reports. Similarly, HRSA confirmed that a provider may not submit reports early and, instead, must report during the reporting time period that corresponds to the payment received period in accordance with the June 11, 2021 guidance. In addition, HRSA will not notify a provider regarding whether it agrees with the provider’s reporting. Finally, HRSA will not grant extensions to the reporting period and providers who fail to submit a timely report may be subject to recoupment of PRF payments.

Providers can register to attend a recorded webcast hosted by HRSA on July 8, 2021 at 3 PM ET for additional technical assistance on reporting requirements. Should you have any questions related to the PRF reporting requirements and how it may impact your organization, please do not hesitate to reach out to the health care attorneys at Reed Smith.