On August 11, HHS changed terminology describing various allocations and added FAQs on availability of Medicaid awards.
Terminology
HHS has renamed the first two tranches “Phase 1 – General Distribution” and has renamed what had been the Medicaid tranche “Phase 2 – General Distribution.” Therefore, future HHS notices on what were referred to as “Tranche 1” and/or “Tranche 2” will be described as “Phase 1 – General Distribution.” The Medicaid, CHIP, and Dental Allocation now will be described as “Phase 2 – General Distribution.”
Phase 2 – General Distribution Availability
Initially, HHS indicated that providers who received a Phase 1 – General Distribution were not eligible for a Phase 2 – General Distribution. Today, HHS reversed its position in the following FAQ:
“Medicaid and CHIP Providers who have received a payment under Phase 1 of the General Distribution are no longer prohibited from submitting an application under Phase 2 of the General Distribution. Providers who received a previous Phase 1 – General Distribution payment are eligible to apply and, if they have not yet received a payment that is approximately 2% of annual revenue from patient care, may receive additional funds (see pages 35-36).”
In order to apply for Phase 2 General Distribution funds, providers who received a Phase 1 - General Distribution payment that was less than 2% of revenue from patient care must meet the revised eligibility requirements for the Phase 2 - General Distribution and follow the application instructions available for the distribution.
Applicants should use the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal to apply for funds. Payments received as part of the Phase 1 - General Distribution will be taken into account when determining payment amounts for the Phase 2 - General Distribution. Finally, if you were eligible for the Phase 1 – General Distribution and rejected the payment, you are now eligible to apply for Phase 2 – General Distribution payment that is approximately 2% of revenue from patient care.
Change of Ownership (CHOW) Update
The Phase 2 – General Distribution
web portal for Medicaid, CHOW, and Phase 1 – General Distribution awardees who missed the June 3 cut off for additional funding is up but still is not active. AHCA/NCAL will provide information as soon as the portal is operational.