Apply for CARES Act Provider Relief Funds by Sept. 13

Dental Tribune USA

Fri. 4 September 2020

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Dentists have through Sept. 13 to apply for pandemic relief grants through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal. 

Created by the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, the $175 billion Provider Relief Fund is intended to help health care providers suffering economic losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provides each eligible dentist a reimbursement of approximately 2 percent of their annual reported patient revenue.

The HHS has now extended the deadline for the general distribution funding three times, with the previous deadline set for Aug. 28.

Determining eligibility

All dentists with a tax identification number, regardless of whether they are a Medi-Cal or Medicare provider, are eligible to apply for Provider Relief Funds. Dentists can apply for the funds if they have a TIN, provided care after Jan. 31, 2020, and billed a dental insurance company, Medi-Cal, Medicare or a patient for the care they provided.

The HHS has created a curated list of providers, although it may not include every eligible dentist. TIN validation is required as part of the application process and may take a few days but generally takes no more than 15 days.

In an updated FAQ, HHS indicates that if a provider receives the results of the TIN validation after Sept. 13, the dental provider will still be able to complete and submit their application as long as the provider submitted their TIN by end of day Sept. 13.

Within 90 days of receiving Provider Relief Funds, providers must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the payment.

Visit https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-providers/index.html, a page specifically for providers, for more information about the application process, terms and conditions, balance billing, eligibility, TIN validation and more. There is also a "six steps for applying" that dentists can read.

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