Provider Relief Fund Federal Audits Are Here: What to Expect and How to Prepare
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has distributed nearly $170 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to eligible health care providers since April 2020. With the PRF largely expended, the federal government has now started PRF recipient audits.
The scope of each audit can broadly cover compliance with the applicable Terms and Conditions attached to the receipt of PRF payments, how an entity used PRF funds to reimburse eligible expenses and lost revenue or specific PRF compliance requirements such as the restriction against balance billing out-of-network patients for COVID-19 treatment. The audits can be conducted by HRSA via non-government contractors, the Office of Inspector General or other government agencies, and are in addition to the Single Audit requirement many recipients are subject to. Regardless of the scope of the audit or which government agency oversees the work, providers should prepare for potential government audits now. Every PRF recipient is required to comply with the relevant reporting obligations and other PRF requirements and restrictions, and non-compliance can result in the recoupment of some or all the applicable PRF payments.
Join Hall Render attorney Ben Fee for this 30-minute webinar as he discusses the various government audits underway, what providers can do now in advance of a potential audit and recommendations and strategies for navigating the audit process.
