As Cases of COVID-19 Rise, States Launch New COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding Efforts

In this article, we update our previous article related to state COVID-19 funding efforts and examine continued developments across the country. In particular these funding opportunities offer welcome relief for those on the front lines that do not participate in the Medicare program and have not been eligible for Medicare Provider Relief Funds.  As the novel coronavirus has continued to spread, an increasing number of states offer state-level relief efforts in addition to already existing and continuing federal efforts (e.g., the federal government’s Medicaid Provider Relief Fund disbursement).  Below is a sampling of states making funding available to providers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.  Note that other states may also be offering funding or financial assistance, including, but not limited to, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.

Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) recently announced the availability of Coronavirus Relief Funding for Oklahoma’s long-term care facilities/providers that are in good standing with OSDH at the time of application.  Eligible provider types include licensed adult day care centers, assisted living facilities, continuum of care, intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, nursing and skilled nursing facilities, and residential care facilities.  The funding comes from a portion of Coronavirus Relief Funds to be distributed in the form of grants (“LTC CARES Grants”) to enhance infectious disease prevention and mitigation as part of the implementation of Oklahoma’s plan for the reopening of long-term care facilities.

The LTC CARES Grant award is funded by two funding categories, each with its own requirements:

• The LTC CARES Grant’s first category is funded at a flat $15,000; and, is granted for the Provider’s implementation of the requirements outlined in the State’s phased reopening plan; and
• The LTC CARES Grant’s second category is funded for allowable cost only which is funded at the maximum amount determined by the Provider’s resident/participant census (e.g., for assisted living facilities the amount will be $533 per resident/participant).

The application deadline is midnight on July 31, 2020. Additional information regarding the documentation, application process, and information regarding the allowable costs for utilization of LTC CARES Grant funds (e.g., visitation adaptation and supervision), is available at the here. A sample Application is also available here.

Michigan

On July 1, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 690, a supplemental appropriations bill which allocates funding of CARES Act dollars that were sent to the state of Michigan by the federal government.  The Bill contains a $25 million PPE grant program that is available to numerous healthcare providers, including nursing facilities and residential congregate facilities. We understand that facilities may apply to access these grant dollars to cover the costs of PPE and testing from March 1 through September 30, though the application has not yet been made available.  More information is likely to come the week of July 5, 2020.

Wisconsin

As previously discussed, Wisconsin made $100 million available to long-term care service providers/facilities and emergency medical services providers.  While the application for funding was due June 30, 2020, and the application portal is now closed, the Department of Health Services has announced it will be reopening the program for a second round of applications later this year.  The agency notes that more information about the second round will be made available in mid-July.  The web site already provides:

• Future applications will allow providers to submit COVID-19-related costs for not only March, April, and May, but also June, July, and August.
• The types of providers eligible for the program will remain the same.  See our previous article for more information.
• Providers who applied during the first round of funding and received (or will receive) funding remain eligible for payments in the next round.

For more information, please contact Hedy S. Rubinger or Alexander B. Foster.