The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), launched a new COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal, allowing healthcare providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing or provided treatment for uninsured COVID-19 individuals on or after February 4, 2020 to submit claims for reimbursement.
As part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, healthcare providers can request claims reimbursement electronically through the COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal and receive reimbursement, generally at Medicare rates for testing uninsured individuals for COVID-19 and treating uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis.
"Providers will be able to bill the government for this care at Medicare rates, and uninsured individuals will be protected from any balance-billing for COVID-19 testing and treatment," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.
The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers.
"We have seen the heroic actions from health care providers serving on the frontlines of the pandemic," said Tom Engels, HRSA Administrator, "these reimbursements help meet the growing demand for testing and health care provider services related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure that uninsured individuals get the care they need."
