Articles and Blogs

Tuesday, April 28 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Trump Administration Releases “Blueprint for Testing Plans and Rapid Response Programs” The... READ MORE

Monday, April 27 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HRSA Launches COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal Today, the Health Resources and Services... READ MORE

On April 16, 2020, just weeks after the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) became law on March 18, 2020, a single mother sued her employer and two individual company employees in federal court in Pennsylvania claiming she was terminated for her unsuccessful attempts to utilize the FFCRA’s protected leave provisions to stay home... READ MORE

HHS published a new Terms and Conditions document that is specific to payments that started being distributed on Friday, April 24 from the CARES Act Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund’s (“Relief Fund”) second $20 billion tranche. Highlights New Terms and Conditions: A second Terms and Conditions document specific to the $20 billion Second... READ MORE

The new HHS Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal (“Payment Portal”) went live late on Friday, April 24. Every eligible health care provider (“Provider”) that received payments from the first two tranches of the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund established by the CARES Act (“Relief Fund”) is required to submit and verify certain... READ MORE

HHS launched a wide-ranging new CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Application User Guide website (“User Guide Website”) and nine‑page FAQ document to assist Providers with navigating the new Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal (“Payment Portal”) that went live on Friday, April 24. More information on the Payment Portal, the information Providers are required to... READ MORE

Friday, April 24 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ SBA Releases Guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program The Small Business Administration... READ MORE

As part of the CARES Act,[1] the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) granted vulnerable small businesses the ability to seek forgivable loans from the federal government to help prevent closures during the COVID-19 crisis and to ensure employees remain on payroll. The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and the Department of the Treasury have published and... READ MORE

Earlier today, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued an updated Interim Final Rule (the “Rule”) that supplements and provides clarification on the types of businesses that are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. Under the Rule, governmental hospitals that (a) have 500 or fewer FTEs, and (b) receive less than 50 percent... READ MORE

On April 21, 2020, CMS issued explanatory guidance clarifying the scope and application of the previously issued Stark blanket waivers related to COVID-19 physician arrangements (“Waivers”). Our previous alert on the Waivers can be found here. Action and Timing The Waivers can be relied upon retroactive to March 1, 2020 but will terminate upon the... READ MORE