Subject:
Title
Authorization to apply for additional funding made available through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding, and comply with the outlined terms and conditions associated with the United States Department of Health & Human Services third distribution of $20 Billion to healthcare system providers.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator to electronically apply and accept the terms and conditions for additional funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
• The application must be submitted on-line by November 6, 2020.
• Pinellas County Safety & Emergency Services received a distribution on April 17, 2020, in the amount of $1,605,741.68 from the 1st distribution of funds from the CARES Act.
• No additional funding was received from the 2nd distribution and a refund in the amount of $443,493 may be due from the first distribution.
• The application from the 2nd distribution provided necessary data to be utilized for subsequent distributions to health care providers.
• An estimated $21,406 in additional funds is possible from this third round of distributions.
• On October 1, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services announced $20 billion in additional funding.Body
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Strategic Plan:
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be Responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of County services and support
Summary:
Pinellas County Safety & Emergency Services (SES) may be eligible to receive an additional distribution from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the phase three General Distribution of $20B for healthcare system providers. The phase one $50B General Distribution was allocated: 1) Through an immediate distribution of $30B, of which Pinellas County SES received $1,605,741.68. This amount was based upon 2.0% of total Medicare fee-for-Service (FFS) revenue in 2019. The County did not receive funding out of the phase two distribution since the distribution received in phase one exceeded the target of 2.0%, and based on that calculation, a repayment in the amount of $443,493 is possible. As part of the Phase three announcement, HHS indicated that providers who have already received Provider Relief Fund payments will be invited to apply for additional funding that considers both their revenue losses and any changes in operating expenses caused by COVID-19. HHS will calculate the amounts remaining after all providers have been grossed up to 2.0% and then calculate an equitable add-on payment that considers the above factors and prior Provider Relief Fund payments already received by the provider.
Background/Explanation:
The bipartisan CARES Act executed on March 27, 2020, provided $100 billion in relief funds to healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response. To be eligible for funding, the provider must have received Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursements in 2019 and be in good standing with CMS. Funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and reimburse care related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to coronavirus. The $100B distribution was allocated in the following manner: $50B General Distribution; $10B High impact areas; $10B Rural areas; and no specific allocation for the remaining $30B, with the exception that an undisclosed amount will be allocated to reimburse providers for the treatment and care of uninsured COVID-19 patients. The same Terms & Conditions that applied to the 1st distribution (approved by the BCC in May 2020) apply to this third distribution.
Fiscal Impact:
An estimated add-on payment of $21,406 may be available to Safety & Emergency Services through the third phase of the general distribution based upon the payment methodology provided by HHS. In addition, the County may not be required to refund HHS $443,493 based on the add-on distribution methodology. The additional revenue and possible refund are not included in the FY21 Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve and execute Non-purchasing agreements not to exceed $250,000 is granted under Pinellas County Code Section 2-62 (1).
Staff Member Responsible:
James Fogarty, Director, Safety & Emergency Services
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Terms-and-conditions-provider-relief-20-b
Notification flyer from HHS CARES 3rd distribution.
BCC Approval of Master File Report from Legistar 20-743A
Intent to Apply submission to OMB