Assisted living providers stand to receive $140 million in the latest round of Covid-19 relief for health care providers from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

That is according to an HHS spokesperson, replying to a request for comment from Senior Housing News on Wednesday’s announcement that the agency is expanding its Phase 3 funding total from $20 billion to $24 billion, after concluding that the initial amount did not sufficiently cover lost revenue and expense increases incurred during the pandemic during the first half of 2020.

The funding will cover up to 88% of providers’ reported lost revenues and expenses attributable to Covid-19. The losses are based on information providers submitted to HHS during the initial Phase 3 provider relief rollout. An initial round of payments will be sent to providers on Wednesday, and will continue through January as more providers’ applications undergo quality reviews and payment set up is completed.

“HHS strived to provide maximum and equitable reimbursement to all Phase 3 applicants based on available funds,” the spokesperson said. “This percentage was deemed fair to all applicants after analyzing their submission data.”

Recipients of Phase 3 relief will be listed on an online database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HHS received 75,000 Phase 3 applicants, but the number of assisted living providers is unknown, despite efforts from industry associations to find out.

SHN has reached out to Argentum, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for comment, and will update this story as needed.