Argentum met with officials of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) this week to discuss matters related to the Provider Relief Fund for Phase IV regular consideration and Phase III reconsiderations.

Bottom line, Phase IV payment determinations and Phase III reconsiderations will likely be finalized in the very near future and at the latest by mid-September. The new deadline for Phase IV reconsiderations will be at least 45 days from the time HRSA completes all determinations for Phase IV and anyone can file a reconsideration regardless of when they received their determination for Phase IV.

Phase IV
Phase IV is down to a final few applications under review (and if approved subsequent payment) and should be complete in the very near future with a strong likelihood of wrapping up before mid-September. With so few applications remaining under review, if you have not received notice of the payment determination of your Phase IV application, please contact Provider Support at 966-569-3522 for status of your Phase IV application.

Phase IV Reconsideration
The time to file any and all Phase IV reconsideration requests will be 45 days from the time HRSA completes the final Phase IV determination. What this means is that anyone is eligible to file a reconsideration for Phase IV if you believe an error was made by the government in your determination resulting in a denial or underpayment. The biggest change is that those applicants who filed a reconsideration earlier this year will be considered along with those that file their reconsiderations at the latest allowable time (currently 45 days from the date HRSA completes Phase IV application determinations). This means all reconsiderations will be considered at the same time and no preference extended to those that filed earlier. This also means that no matter when you received a determination, you will have an opportunity to file a reconsideration up to 45 days from the time HRSA completes final Phase IV determinations. This will also likely mean that the Phase IV reconsideration process will be completed some time in 2023. We will provide more details regarding deadlines when available.

Phase III Reconsiderations
Scheduled to be finalized by no later than mid-September according to HRSA.

Status of Phase IV and/or Phase III Reconsideration Determinations
If you have not received notice of the status of your Phase IV and/or Phase III reconsideration applications, please contact Provider Support at 866-569-3522.

Optum Pay Account Issues Related to Payment
Please contact Optum Support at 877-620-6194 with questions or issues with creating an Optum Pay account, required for payments of $100,000 or higher, especially if you were determined to receive a payment and payment has not occurred.

Please contact Paul Williams at pwilliams@argentum.org with any questions.

Argentum is proud to support legislation recently introduced in the House of Representatives that would allow veterans to have the option of living in assisted living communities via a series of pilot programs around the country.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced The Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act, along with cosponsors Reps. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), David Trone (D-Md.), and Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.).

On behalf of Argentum’s Board of Directors, Members and Staff, we extend our sincerest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Bill Sheriff, former CEO of Brookdale, and senior living pioneer who passed away yesterday in Nashville.

Among his many business accomplishments which included a distinguished career with Ryder System Inc., Bill led the American Retirement Corporation (ARC) beginning in 1984 during the important formative years of the senior living industry which provided thousands of seniors one of the earliest opportunities to receive living and care options in home-like settings as opposed to institutions. Bill later led and developed Brookdale into the largest senior living operator in the United States and the world for sixteen years beginning in 1997.

Bill’s accomplishments in senior living are numerous and we are grateful to acknowledge his work with Argentum in helping to establish Tennessee’s initial assisted living program which was realized through his extensive professional and political contacts and direct work with Governor Phil Bredesen. Bill was also an early supporter and encouraged many Brookdale executives throughout the years to participate with Argentum’s executive roundtables and related programs.

Over many years, we were heartened by the many stories shared by current and former employees and colleagues of the interest and advice Bill provided which at its focus was “always doing what is right for our residents and associates.” You may view some of these reflections here on the occasion of Bill receiving Argentum’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

Bill’s quiet yet caring nature will leave a lasting legacy to the residents that call senior living home and all those who serve in the senior living industry.

We extend our thoughts and prayers to Bill’s wife Sharon and son Glen. Bill was predeceased by his daughter Charlotte.

President Biden signed into law the $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act, now what?

Democratic lawmakers have checked-off one of their key legislative objectives, now they are back in district for the August recess looking to hear directly from their constituents on what to do during the remainder of the Congressional session, including a potentially busy “Lame Duck” session after the November elections.

Argentum Advocates are invited to join Argentum’s federal lobbyists for an exclusive briefing on how we are working to shape the debate and get included in the next legislative vehicles, including through appropriations and a potential end-of-year package.

The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is open through September 30 for providers that received one or more payment(s) exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021.

After months of stalled negotiations, this week Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced an agreement on a budget reconciliation package. Unlike the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better package, which was passed by the House last November, the Manchin-Schumer bill, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), does not include the broad social spending priorities but is instead focused on limited healthcare provisions, climate and energy policy, and deficit reduction.

Register now for this Wednesday's Argentum Advocates monthly policy briefing. Argentum Advocates are invited to these exclusive sessions to hear directly from Argentum’s federal lobbyists on our current federal and state public policy efforts.

Argentum is pushing for action in the House of Representatives ahead of the annual August congressional recess in a so-called “minibus” bill, which would lump a number of appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 into a package for passage.

Keith Sappington, executive director, Missouri Assisted Living Association, says the state’s assisted living communities scored a victory recently when Gov. Mike Parson allocated $10 million out of ARPA funds specifically for them and related residential care businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The Kentucky Senior Living Association (KSLA) has named Rebecca Pfalzgraf executive director, promoting her from the role of director of communications and member services. The KSLA Board of Directors said Pfalzgraf will succeed Bob White, who recently retired from the organization.