$30 billion in relief announced for Medicare providers

Posted on: 4/10/20

Hospitals and other Medicare providers across Oklahoma and the nation today received emails about the availability of $30 billion in relief funds from the federal government.  

This $30 billion is the first distribution from a $100 billion provision of the CARES Act, designated to reimburse eligible health care providers for health care-related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to COVID-19. Oklahoma providers will receive $489 million of the $30 billion, based on their share of total Medicare fee-for-service payments in 2019. Unlike most provider assistance from the CARES Act, this money is not a loan and need not be paid back.  

HHS has partnered with UnitedHealth Group (UHG) to provide rapid payment to providers eligible for the distribution of this initial $30 billion in funds. Today’s emails to providers about the grants were from UHG. Providers will be paid via Automated Clearing House account information on file with UHG or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Within 30 days of receiving the payment, providers must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agreeing to the terms and conditions of payment, which require future reporting and certifications about the use of the money. The portal for signing the attestation will be open the week of April 13, 2020.

For more information, click here.