Long-Term Care Pharmacies Applaud Promising Provider Relief Fund Announcement

DATE: September 10, 2021

HHS Recognizes LTC Pharmacies as Providers Eligible for Relief

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the next Provider Relief Fund distribution, which should include long-term care pharmacies. The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) President and CEO Alan Rosenbloom offered the following statement:

“The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) applauds today’s announcement from HHS releasing $25.5 billion from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to help health care providers manage the continuing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phase 4 General Distribution acknowledges that LTC pharmacies are providers eligible for assistance from the PRF. Long-term care (LTC) pharmacies are optimistic that they will finally receive the relief they deserve, but that has been denied to them until now. 

“LTC pharmacies have been operating with significantly lower revenues and substantially higher costs since the pandemic began, while tirelessly serving some of our nation’s most vulnerable people—seniors and younger disabled adults living in LTC facilities. Before today, LTC pharmacy access to PRF assistance remained in doubt.   

“Following persistent advocacy, HHS finally acknowledged in April 2021 that LTC pharmacies are eligible for PRF assistance. However, this came more than five months after the last application period closed in November 2020, meaning many LTC pharmacies were denied relief and, until today, had no recourse. While key details have yet to be announced, SCPC believes that today’s announcement will give LTC pharmacies an unfettered opportunity to apply for the relief they have long deserved.   

“SCPC and LTC pharmacies look forward to partnering with HHS to ensure fair and proportionate relief is finally delivered—anything less could inhibit LTC pharmacies’ ability to provide life-saving care, including vaccine boosters for residents and important medication management care and services.”

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The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition (SCPC) is the only national organization exclusively representing the interests of LTC pharmacies. Its members operate in all 50 states and serve 850,000 patients daily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across the country. Visit seniorcarepharmacies.org to learn more.