COVID-19 RURAL DIGEST

Today (6/3/2020) is the last day for providers to accept terms and conditions of CARES Act Funds.

All providers who automatically received an additional General Distribution payment prior to 5:00 pm, Friday, April 24th, must provide HHS with an accounting of their annual revenues by submitting tax forms or financial statements.
Terms and Conditions: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html
Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/05/20/providers-must-act-june-3-2020-receive-additional-relief-fund-general-distribution-payment.html

HHS changes CARES Act funding rules prior to today’s deadline

Providers must now return funds by today (6/3/2020) if they do not accept terms and conditions.
Providers could re-apply for funds, and would then have 90 days to agree to the terms and conditions of the funds.
Read more: https://khn.org/morning-breakout/hhs-has-yet-to-allot-nearly-100-billion-in-aid-to-hard-hit-hospitals-health-clinics/

NRHA launches a Rural COVID-19 Technical Assistance Center

The center will focus on helping rural healthcare organizations meet the demands of the COVID-19 crisis.
The center will aid organizations in finance/reimbursement.
The center will also focus on operations/supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) sourcing and distribution, testing and contact tracing, and long-term care collaboration.
Read more: https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/NRHA/media/Emerge_NRHA/Press%20releases/NRHA-release-NRHA-COVID-19-Technical-Assistance-Center.pdf

HHS to provide $250 million in aid health care systems

The funds will support hospitals and other health care entities to train workforces, expand telemedicine and the use of virtual healthcare, and procure supplies and equipment.
In addition to directly supporting health care capacity for COVID-19 patient surge.
Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/06/02/hhs-provides-additional-250-million-help-us-health-care-systems-respond-covid-19.html