HHS Distributes Additional $413 Million in COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this week announced more than $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to more than 3,600 providers throughout the country. The latest round of funding is the fourth round, totaling nearly $12 billion that has been distributed to more than 82,000 providers in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five territories since November 2021.

This amount is in addition to HRSA’s distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) rural payments totaling nearly $7.5 billion in funding to more than 44,000 providers across the country over the past four months. PRF payments received in the first half of 2022 can be used until June 30, 2023. Approximately 89 percent of fourth phase applications have been processed.

According to HRSA, PRF payments have played a key role in response to COVID-19, helping providers prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers can use the payments to continue supporting patient care and respond to workforce challenges through recruitment and retention efforts.

Additional information is available here.