Federal health authorities are once again disbursing billions through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing distribution of about $2 billion more in Phase 4 of the program, including more than $100 million to Texas health care practitioners.
PRF payments go to health care practitioners to cover revenue losses and expenses related to COVID-19. HHS’ announcement of the latest disbursement noted Phase 4 payments “have an increased focus on equity, including reimbursing a higher percentage of losses for smaller providers and incorporating ‘bonus’ payments for providers who serve Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Medicare beneficiaries.”
The newest allocation of $2,031,357,873 as part of Phase 4 includes 648 Texas practitioners who will receive $100,165,437.
In December 2021, HHS announced nearly $9 billion in funding for Phase 4, which included more than $640 million in payments to Texas. Factoring in the $2 billion-plus in new payments, 6,074 Texas practitioners are receiving a total of $741,438,283 through Phase 4.
“Provider Relief Fund payments have served as a lifeline for our nation’s heroic health care providers throughout the pandemic, helping them to continue to recruit and retain staff and deliver care to their communities,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the Jan. 25 announcement.
Recipients “have used the funds to remain in operation and to continue supporting patient care by covering a variety of costs including personnel, recruitment and retention initiatives, medical supplies, information technology, and many other functions,” the announcement added.
Collectively, according to HHS, Phase 4 has allocated more than $10.7 billion to more than 74,000 practitioners across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five territories. The agency says it has now processed about 82% of all Phase 4 applications.