BH Providers Can Now Apply for Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund Payments

Financially strapped behavioral healthcare providers are eligible to receive Provider Relief Fund payments from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund as part of its Phase 3 General Distribution, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced through the Health Resources and Services Administration.

New funding totaling $20 billion has been allotted for frontline providers who have been hit with financial losses and increased operating expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Behavioral health providers, including those who have previously received funds, are eligible to apply. The application period is now open, and the deadline to apply is Nov. 6. For

To receive funds, providers have to have been active and billed insurers or patients directly as of March 31. Providers must also have:

• Filed a federal income tax return for 2017, 2018 and 2019 if in operation before Jan. 1, 2020, filed a quarterly tax return from 2020 if operations began on or after Jan. 1, or be exempt from filing a return
• Provided patient care after Jan. 31
• Not ceased providing patient care, either directly or indirectly

Also, for those providing care before the start of 2020, gross receipts or sales from patient care must be reported on Form 1040 or other appropriate tax form.

Providers who have not previously received about 2% of annual revenues from patient care will receive this amount, plus their Phase 3 allocation. Payments received in prior distributions will be considered in evaluations for Phase 3 applications.

For more information, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief.