HHS Launches COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal

Health care providers are eligible for reimbursement from the federal government for COVID-19 testing, treatment and related services provided to the uninsured. Starting today, April 27, providers, including hospitals and health systems, can register to participate with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This coverage of the uninsured was authorized and funded through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. More information regarding the program, including how to register, can be found here.

Reimbursement Program. Hospitals and other health care providers who conduct COVID-19 testing or provide COVID-19 treatment for uninsured individuals on or after Feb. 4, 2020, can request claims reimbursement. Claims generally will be reimbursed at Medicare rates, subject to available funding. Services eligible for reimbursement include, but are not limited to, COVID-19 testing, treatment and related services. Such services may be performed via telehealth, in provider offices, and in emergency, inpatient, outpatient and post-acute care settings. Providers must take the following steps to submit claims: enroll as a participating provider, attest to the patient’s uninsured status, submit patient information, submit a claim, and arrange for payment via direct deposit. Participating providers must attest that they have checked the patient’s eligibility for public and private health care coverage and found the individual to be uninsured. In addition, providers must agree to the program’s terms and conditions, which include agreeing not to balance bill the patient. More information on frequently asked questions can be found here.

Program Timeline:

• April 27 – Provider registration begins for the program
• April 29 – On-demand training available for participating providers
• May 6 – Electronic claims submission process opens
• Mid-May – Reimbursement disbursement begins

Claims Reimbursement Portal: The claims reimbursement portal can be found here on HRSA’s website.

Further Questions

If you have questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.