On Wednesday April 22, HHS announced on the CARES Act Provider Relief Landing page, that, in addition to the General and Targeted allocations of $20B each to be released beginning this Friday, an undisclosed amount is being made available to reimburse providers, including Skilled Nursing Facilities, for the diagnosis and treatment of uninsured COVID-19 patients treated on or after February 4, 2020. 

Notably, Medicaid beneficiaries are not considered uninsured.  Providers must certify that health care coverage eligibility was checked and the patient does not have individual, employer-sponsored, Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

Providers may begin submitting claims electronically on May 6, 2020 for COVID-19 testing and testing-related visits for uninsured patients, as well as treatment for uninsured patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. To be eligible for reimbursement, Skilled Nursing Facilities must enroll with the Health Resources & Services Administration portal.  Providers may begin registering April 27, 2020.