HHS Temporarily Suspends Quarterly Reports from Provider Relief Fund Recipients
HHS on June 13 updated previous guidance to say recipients of Provider Relief Fund payments do not need submit a separate quarterly report to HHS or the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
The
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) had included the requirement, but HHS updated a Frequently Asked Questions
document and said the agency will develop a report containing all information necessary for recipients of the payment to comply with this provision. HHS also indicated it would require reports in the future.
“However, the Terms and Conditions for all Provider Relief Fund payments also require recipients to submit any reports requested by the Secretary that are necessary to allow HHS to ensure compliance with payment Terms and Conditions,” the updated guidance noted. “HHS will be requiring recipients to submit future reports relating to the recipient’s use of its PRF money. HHS will notify recipients of the content and due date(s) of such reports in the coming weeks.”
NABH Sends Youth Education Funding Recommendations to Congressional Committees
NABH this week sent a
letter to two congressional committees that recommends how to allocate money from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Fund that the
CARES Act authorized.
In the letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee and the House Committee on Education & Labor, NABH President and CEO Shawn Coughlin asked Congress to clarify that funding for state education agencies from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund be allocated equitably to both non-profit and for-profit residential and other therapeutic settings, including specialized day schools that provide care for children and adolescents with serious behavioral and/or emotional conditions.
In addition, NABH recommended that Congress dedicate funding in any upcoming legislation that addresses the Covid-19 pandemic to provide education services and supports for children and adolescents with these conditions.
“An appropriation of $37.5 million for education services in residential and other treatment settings and specialized day schools would ensure these settings are able to provide digital devices, internet access, and online school content to these children and adolescents with special needs,” the letter said. “There are approximately 500 residential facilities serving 25,000 children and adolescents with serious behavioral and/or emotional conditions nationwide, and this would ensure that this population is also included and treated equitably.”
Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief Highlights Options for Medicaid Providers During Covid-19
In a new issue
brief, the Kaiser Family Foundation provides an overview of how states currently reimburse providers and the challenges for Medicaid providers that have resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The brief notes that although Congress enacted legislation with $175 billion in provider relief grants, the initial allocation of funds was “disadvantageous” to Medicaid providers.
“HHS recently announced that $15 billion has been set aside to more directly support Medicaid providers, and an unspecified amount has been allocated to reimburse providers for COVID-19 treatment costs for the uninsured,” the issue brief said. “However, it is not clear if the current provider relief fund allocations will be sufficient to meet providers’ needs resulting from the pandemic. Congress will likely continue to debate additional funding for states through Medicaid and for providers. Without additional fiscal relief, states may be limited in their ability to support Medicaid providers and provider relief grants may not be adequate.”
News Report Shows 20% Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths in New Jersey
Drug overdose deaths in New Jersey have increased 20% this year during the Covid-19 pandemic, news outlet
NJ.com reported this week.
Citing data from NJ Cares, the state’s drug information dashboard, the story reported that 1,330 people in New Jersey died of suspected overdoses in the first five months of 2020, which is 225 more people than the number recorded in the same period last year.
May’s figures were especially grim, the story said, when suspected deaths reach a high of 307—nearly 10 people per day. State Police Lt. Jason Piotrowski was quoted in an online town hall saying seven deaths a day has been typical and that he hopes last month’s number proves to be an anomaly.
CMS Chicago Stakeholders to Host Webinar on Covid-19 Relief Funds and Medicaid Next Week
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Chicago Local Engagement and Administration will host a 30-minute webinar about
CARES Act Provider Relief Fund distribution in Medicaid on Wednesday, June 24.
The event is part of CMS Chicago’s weekly “Real Time” series on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. CT. Click
here for more information and to register.
Fact of the Week
A June
Health Affairs article reports fewer than half of U.S. mental health treatment facilities provide services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
For questions or comments about this CEO Update, please contact Jessica Zigmond.