On April 27, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened the COVID-19 Uninsured Program Portal, where providers can sign up for reimbursement for testing and treating uninsured patients who had COVID-19 diagnoses on or after February 4, 2020. The funding is part of the legislative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide Medicare rates for COVID treatment. Providers may now enroll through the Program Portal at https://coviduninsuredclaim.linkhealth.com/.
Providers who elect to receive this reimbursement must attest that they have confirmed their patients are uninsured, agree not to “balance” or “surprise” bill the patient for related services, and must agree to additional program terms and conditions in order to be eligible to receive reimbursement. Beginning May 6, providers will be able to begin submitting their claims electronically, with initial rounds of reimbursement expected mid-May. In general, reimbursement will be available for testing and testing-related visits, treatment of COVID-19 across settings, and approved vaccines when available, as covered under the traditional Medicare program. Reimbursement will not be available for any treatment without a COVID-19 primary diagnosis, outpatient prescription drugs, or hospice services. Additional information about the program can be found at https://www.hrsa.gov/coviduninsuredclaim.
For further questions, please contact the Powers attorney or professional with whom you normally work. For the latest news, information, and insights on COVID-19, please visit our resource hub at https://www.powerslaw.com/covid-19/.