Physicians who were allocated a payment from the initial $30 billion general distribution from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 45 days of payment. That means that physicians who received the first round of funding on April 10, 2020, have until May 24, 2020, to file an attestation and accept the terms and conditions.

The $30 billion was  part of the $100 billion Public Health and Emergency Fund created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide financial assistance to physician practices, hospitals and other providers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Physicians who do not attest or return the payment within 45 days of receipt will be viewed as having accepted the terms and conditions. The California Medical Association (CMA) urges all physicians to engage a financial expert or accountant to carefully review all of the terms and conditions prior to the deadline and to carefully document expenditures of any Provider Relief Fund payments, as there will be extensive auditing by the federal government.  

See the CMA COVID-19 Financial Toolkit for Medical Practices for more information on the Provider Relief Fund. Visit hhs.gov/providerrelief for more information on the fund.