The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) opened Phase 4 of the Provider Relief Fund, with a deadline of Tuesday, October 26. Eligible dental providers can apply to receive funds from the $17 billion set aside for providers who can document revenue loss and expenses between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, as a result of the pandemic. These payments, not loans, will reimburse smaller providers — “who tend to operate on thin margins and often serve vulnerable or isolated communities — for their lost revenues and COVID-19 expenses at a higher percentage compared to larger providers.” The phase also includes bonus payments for providers who serve Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and/or Medicare patients to ensure equity.
Dentists are eligible under this criterion: “Must be a dental service provider who has either directly billed, or owns (on the application date) an included subsidiary that has directly billed, health insurance companies or patients for oral health care-related services during the period of January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020."
The HRSA Website provides more details, including the Provider Relief Fund Application and Attestation Portal HRSA Exit Disclaimer.
The application will close on October 26, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications must undergo a number of validation checks before financial information is submitted, so providers are encouraged to begin their application as soon as possible to ensure they are able to meet the deadline.
