U.S. Reps. Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Tom Emmer (R-MN) this week led their Minnesota colleagues in voicing concerns about new Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements that they say could change how healthcare providers document lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), healthcare providers calculated lost revenue by comparing 2020 revenue with budgeted revenue or with revenue from 2019, according to an Oct. 19 letter the lawmakers sent to HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
Under the new PRF guidelines, which HHS released on Sept. 19, providers must use net operating income to calculate lost revenue, which “will increase calculation complexity and could force hospitals to send much needed grant money back to the government,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Specifically, providers that received PRF payments will be required to report healthcare-related expenses attributable to COVID-19 that another source has not reimbursed and is not obligated to reimburse,” according to their letter.
In addition, providers will be required to report lost revenues attributable to COVID-19 represented as a “negative change in year-over-year net operating income from patient care related resources,” requiring them to spend more time and resources to ensure these requirements are met, wrote the congressmen, who included U.S. Reps. Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) and Angie Craig (D-MN).
“During this crisis, Minnesota’s rural healthcare providers have been placed under undue stress as they work tirelessly to provide Minnesotans with quality care,” Rep. Stauber said. “We must be empowering the healthcare providers as they continue to fight the virus, so I am proud to join Congressman Emmer and Congressman Hagedorn in calling on HHH Secretary Azar to rescind this burdensome and unnecessary reporting requirement.”
Rep. Emmer noted that while facing unprecedented economic challenges, the nation’s healthcare providers remain on the frontlines of confronting COVID-19. “We must ensure these heroes do not suffer unnecessary burdens as a result of regulatory actions,” he said. “Changing the terms of aid to our healthcare sector could prove devastating to a group of selfless individuals we need now more than ever.”