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HHS/UnitedHealth Webinar Offers Insights on Applying for Medicaid Provider Relief Funding

On June 23rd and 25th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and UnitedHealth Group offered two webinars for providers on the $15 billion Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provider Relief Fund application process. The presentation summarized eligibility requirements and the process for applying. You can watch a recording of the June 25th webinar and access a new fact sheet on the Medicaid/CHIP distribution on the HHS Provider Relief Fund website. Please note that applications are due July 20, 2020. Unlike the Provider Relief Fund General Distributions, which were made automatically, this opportunity requires providers to apply for funding.

The program is open to those Medicaid/CHIP providers that did not receive any payment from the $50 billion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) General Distribution Fund (based on the federal tax identification number (TIN) of the operator) and that meet all the following requirements:

  • Billed Medicaid/CHIP programs or Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) plans for health care-related services between Jan. 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2019;
  • Filed a Federal Income Tax return for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, 2018, or 2019 or a 990 if the organization is a not-for-profit;
  • Provided patient care after Jan. 31, 2020;
  • Has not permanently ceased providing patient care directly or indirectly; and
  • Has gross receipts or sales from providing patient care reported on Form 1040 (or comparable audited figures if not-for-profit).

HHS asked each State Medicaid Agency to provide a curated list of entities eligible for the funding, and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) provided a list of every provider with a Medicaid claim between 2018 and 2019. Providers that were not on that original list can be validated by DOH and HHS. Members should be careful to apply with their correct TIN and Legal Business Name for validation purposes. Eligible providers will receive at least 2 percent of their annual patient care revenue for 2017, 2018, or 2019.

The webinar provided guidance on completing the application through the HHS online portal:

  1. Apply for an Optum ID. Providers use the ID to validate their TIN. “TIN Validation” is the first step in what is a three-step application process. The first two steps, “TIN Validation” and “Revenue and Tax Information,” are where the provider enters their background and financial information and submits the application for funding. The final step, “Attest to Payment and Terms,” occurs after a payment has been received and requires a provider to accept the terms and conditions of the award within 90 days of its receipt.
  2. Select Program Administrator. The provider must select one person to be the “program administrator” and submit the application on their behalf. Because the application requires two-step authentication, the person should use their own email address to enter those fields about the “program administrator.”
  3. NPI Information. Part of the “TIN Validation” requires entry of the National Provider Identifier (NPI) and information associated with a provider’s NPI number.
  4. Legal Business Name. The provider’s Legal Business Name must match the name entered in Field 1 of the W-9 Form.
  5. List of Subsidiary TINs. One of the online pages for “TIN Validation” requires entities to enter “subsidiary TINs” to proceed to the next page. UnitedHealth has advised that entities that do not have subsidiary TINs should simply reenter their own TIN in this field. Providers should not enter special characters (dashes) and include the TIN digits only.

If the TIN Validation information is successfully submitted, the provider will quickly receive an email from ?noreply.trackit@uhc.com entitled “Successful TIN Validation: CARES Provider Relief Fund.” If a provider does not receive this message, their TIN was not validated, and further follow-up is needed. The UnitedHealth Group provider support line is 866-569-3522. Once the TIN is validated, the next step is to enter “Revenue and Tax Information.” To enter tax, revenue, and full-time equivalent (FTE) information, applicants will need to click the “Get Started” link under the yellow “Revenue and Tax Information” icon. Clicking this link will generate an access code that will be emailed to the provider.

Once this information is submitted, providers should receive an email notifying them that their organization qualified for the funding. Providers are reminded that once the application is submitted, it cannot be edited or recalled. For this reason, it is important to carefully review the instructions, application form, and updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before completing and submitting online.

Once providers receive their funding, they must return to the HHS online portal to accept this funding by attesting to the terms and conditions within 90 days. If for any reason providers do not want to retain the funds and/or agree to the terms and conditions, they can elect to have the funds recouped as part of this process.

Presenters indicated that applications would be processed on a rolling basis. The sooner an applicant submits their application, the sooner they will receive payment. According to the panelists, applicants that submit complete and accurate applications can expect to begin receiving Automated Clearing House electronic payment by the end of August.

For more information on this opportunity or other COVID-19-related funding opportunities, please consult with the LeadingAge NY COVID-19 Financial Assistance Opportunities for Not-for-Profit Providers guide.

Contact: Dan Heim, dheim@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866