Long lines are expected at voting booths for the Nov. 3 election, so try voting early! Your local elections commission has locations already set up for early voting through October 29. 

To find out the locations in your county, click here. You can also download the free GoVoteTN app available in the App Store or Google Play.

VOTE BY MAIL --- You can also request a mail-in ballot through Oct. 27. Click here to request a ballot. This form will offer guidance on where to send your request.

The Bookstore and Clearinghouse have resumed normal business hours:

Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CT. 

Face masks are required and will be available. We look forward to serving you!

Provider Relief Funds -- An overview

Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

• Provided $484 billion in funds to replenish programs established in previous COVID-19 relief packages.
• Closed August 8, 2020

CMS Targeted Payments to CMHCs/SUDs

• CMS approved additional funds to assist mental health and substance use providers during the COVID-19 public health crisis. 
• Exact targeted payment amounts have not been decided yet
• No application necessary, payments will be made no later than August 15th

SAMHSA Disaster Response State Grant Program

• $71 million of Disaster Relief funding to address behavioral health and substance abuse problems for children and adults in select states facing natural disasters 
• Funds can support training, detecting, and treating mental health and substance abuse issues. Child focused projects must be school-based
• Proposals are due September 2, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Provided $2 trillion in COVID-19 relief to health care providers, small business and more.
• $50 billion to providers who bill Medicare fee-for-service in order to provide financial relief during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid/CHIP programs, Medicaid managed care plans, or provide dental care, and certain Medicare providers, including those who missed Phase 1 General Distribution payment equal to 2% of their total patient care revenue or had a change in ownership in 2019 or 2020
• Allocated targeted distribution funding to providers in areas particularly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, rural providers, and providers requesting reimbursement for the treatment of uninsured Americans
• Allocated funding to hospitals that have a high number of confirmed COVID-19 positive inpatient admissions.
• Distributed $11 billion to rural hospitals, including rural acute care general hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Community Health Centers located in rural areas.
• allocated $14.4 billion in provider relief funds to safety net hospitals that disproportionately provide care to the most vulnerable, and operate on thin margins.
• Due date extended to September 13, 2020

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act 2020

• Provides funding for federal agencies to respond to the crisis and temporarily waived certain telehealth and Medicare restrictions
• $20 million is for the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans program to support SBA’s administration of loan subsidies that will be made available to entities financially impacted as a result of the coronavirus.
• The bill also includes a waiver removing restrictions on Medicare providers allowing them to offer telehealth services to beneficiaries regardless of whether the beneficiary is in a rural community, at an estimated cost of $500 million.
• Congress specified funding provided through the CDC “to remain available until September 30, 2022,” funding provided through the FDA “to remain available until expended,” and funding provided through NIAID “to remain available until September 30, 2024.”

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

• Established new paid leave policies and increased federal Medicaid funding, among other provisions.
• Qualified employers are required to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19
• These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

Important Links