Providers Face Government Scrutiny Over COVID Coverage For Uninsured

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted in March 2020 as part of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCRA, among other things, provided funds for diagnostic testing and services for people without insurance for COVID-19. These funds were distributed through the COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program (HRSA uninsured program). Providers seeking reimbursement under the HRSA uninsured program were required to enroll as a provider participant and check to ensure that patients were uninsured.

The HRSA uninsured program paid out more than $24.5 billion in claims. With the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the related rescission of program funds, no further payments will be provided. However, given the significant expenditure of funds, government investigations and enforcement actions of the HRSA