RHC Relief Options in Recently Signed CARES Legislation – Letter from Bill Finerfrock, National Association of Rural Health Clinics Executive Director

March 30, 2020

To:      RHC Community

From:  Bill Finerfrock
Executive Director
National Association of Rural Health Clinics

Re:      RHC Relief Options in Recently Signed CARES Legislation

On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  There are several provisions in this new law that will directly affect Rural Health Clinics and your ability to remain open to see patients during the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In particular, there are three provisions of the bill that I wanted to go through:

  1. Authorization of physicians, PAs, NPs and other RHC recognized clinicians to engage in telehealth visits with your RHC patients – and get paid for those telehealth visits;
  2. Grants for Health care providers – including Rural Health Clinics – to cover the revenue loss you have and will experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
  3. Small Business Loans (which can be forgiven) to cover the cost of employee salaries and rent if you keep your practice open during the pandemic.
  4. Expanded availability of Medicare Advanced Payments.

Click here to download and view the full letter.