Healthcare Providers Are Starting To See Their Share Of The Initial $30 Billion COVID-19 Payments

Published in Member Communities on April 10, 2020

This morning HHS announced that they would begin delivering the initial $30 billion in relief funding to healthcare providers in support of the national response to COVID-19 as part of the $100 billion provider relief through the CARES Act. 

VGM started receiving calls, texts, and emails this morning from members about money being deposited into their bank accounts. 

“We are extremely relieved, and this money props us for the next couple of months,” says Paula Vineyard with Elana Health and Loop Medical. “Most people think that since we are in healthcare we are busy, but in all actuality, business is down because referral sources are not operating as business as usual.”

Paula Vineyard is a Respiratory Therapist and has been in business for 20 years, has 25 employees, and two business in Charleston, West Virginia – Elana Health and Loop Medical. The Elana Health location is primarily oxygen and has a large sleep apnea program along with all other DME. Elana Health is also a hospice provider and has a VA contract. Loop Medical has a fittings department for mastectomy, lymphedema, and diabetic footwear. They also do oxygen, home medical, and have urinary incontinence dropship program. 

“We are pretty excited. This could not come at a better time,” says Vineyard. “We have incurred a lot of additional expenses over the past few months because of supply and demand driving costs up.”

Vineyard received an email this morning stating:

Dear valued provider:

Thank you for your tireless efforts during this critical time. President Trump is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The President signed the bipartisan CARES legislation that provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. Recognizing the importance of delivering funds in a fast and transparent manner, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is distributing $30 billion of the relief funds immediately. These are payments to healthcare providers, not loans, and will not need to be repaid.

Shortly after receiving the email, they had the deposit in their account. Elana Health and Loop Medical are fortunate in that they have not had to lay off any employees and have been able to attain the necessary PPE for their team. They have also qualified for the Payment Protection Program. 

Payments to healthcare providers is based on Medicare fee for service reimbursements in 2019. Providers are directed to a website and have to sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds the week of April 13 via the website hhs.gov/providerrelief.