The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced how it will disseminate the remainder of the $100 billion Provider Relief Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27.

HHS has apportioned $50 billion for “general allocation” to Medicare facilities and providers impacted by COVID-19. Distribution will be proportionate to providers’ share of 2018 net patient revenue.

What this means is that a provider’s payment will be calculated based on the 2018 revenue data they submit to HHS. From that amount, HHS will subtract the amount a provider already received from the Provider Relief Fund between April 10 and April 17 based on their 2019 Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements.

Additional payments will go out weekly, on a rolling basis, as revenue information is received by HHS and is validated.

HHS is expected to open a portal this week for providers to submit net 2018 revenue information. The assumption is physicians will submit revenues through this portal for purposes of determining allocations, although clarification is being sought.