Reingruber Alert: Recent Updates & Info for Providers

4/23/2021 - By Claudia Reingruber, CPA, CHC

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE)

The COVID-19 national PHE was renewed effective 04/21/2021. Learn more
The Biden administration has also indicated its intent that:
The COVID-19 PHE “will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021”
HHS will provide 60 days advance notice when a decision is made to terminate the PHE declaration or to let it expire
This decision was made in recognition of the importance of predictability and stability. Learn more

Medicare Sequestration Pause Continued Through 2021

On April 21, 2021, President Biden signed legislation that extended the pause of Medicare sequestration through the end of 2021
The previous sequestration pause expired on April 1, 2021; however, CMS instructed MACs to hold all claims after the expiration date in anticipation of the approval

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance from FEMA

Individuals may qualify to apply for COVID-19 funeral assistance incurred since January 20, 2020, for an individual whose death may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19
Assistance is limited to $9,000 per funeral and must be supported by documentation (receipts, funeral home contracts, etc.)
FEMA will work with applicants when multiple individuals contributed to funeral expenses for the deceased
Applications will be accepted beginning April 12, 2021
Benefits were authorized by CRRSAA of 2021 and the ARP Act of 2021
Advice from FEMA regarding funeral assistance:
Call volume regarding funeral assistance has been very high and busy signals or longer-than-normal wait times may result
Remember, there is no deadline to apply for funeral assistance
Learn more

REMINDER: Have you registered in the PRF reporting portal?

Reporting Portal is currently open for registration only
PRF recipients of more than $10,000 can register here
The link also contains a Registration User Guide, FAQs, and other info
$10,000 threshold excludes funds from Nursing Home Infection Control, RHC Testing, and payments for COVID-19 services to the uninsured
Currently, there is no deadline for registration
Registration requires about 20 minutes of uninterrupted time – best to get this done now before there is a deadline

The Healthcare Division at Saltmarsh can help:

Assemble required info to register in the new PRF Reporting Portal
Evaluate your documentation to support PRF use, including:

COVID-19 expenses
Lost revenues due to COVID
Ensuring maximal and appropriate PRF use
Explaining and implementing complicated HHS guidelines

Assess compliance with the Terms and Conditions for each PRF payment
Prepare for potential audits of PRF fund use
Keep current with ever-changing guidance regarding use of stimulus funds!

For questions or more information, please contact our Healthcare team, and join our email list!

Missed the last Paycheck Protection Program webinar or looking for the latest insights? Visit our COVID-19 Resource Hub for ongoing updates and information.