Any provider who accepted the Provider Relief or American Rescue Plan rural funds that were distributed to them on or after April 1, 2020, must report on their use of those funds. (See the reporting schedule here.) Some providers were unaware of this obligation or did not receive communications from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) outlining the reporting requirements. They now face notice of repayment letters from HRSA requesting all funds to be returned. Those who receive repayment letters requesting all or some of their PRF distributions to be returned have one final opportunity to appeal the decision through the “decision review” process. (More information on the decision review process can be found here.)
Members should read the instructions contained in the repayment letter carefully as all evidence to make your case for why you should not have to return the funds must be submitted in a single entry. See this article for additional details on this process. Members who have received repayment letters or have questions about decision review can reach out to Nicole Fallon for assistance. Reporting continues through September 2025 with the next required PRF reporting period opening January 1, 2024. Additional information on PRF or ARP rural funds can be found here on the LeadingAge website.
