Notification: ARRS Maximum Reimbursement Rates Updated & Backdated – Action Required by ICBs and PCNs

This message serves to inform you of an update to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) maximum reimbursement rates, which will require action from ICBs and PCNs to process adjustment payments.

It has been agreed by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to apply the Agenda for Change and DDRB pay increases from 1 April 25. The ARRS maximum reimbursement rates for all staff groups will be updated on the national portal on 1 August 25 and are backdated to 1 April 25. PCNs should pass on the backdated pay uplifts to all staff employed through the ARRS scheme between April-July 2025.

Portal changes from 1 August 2025:

Once the portal has been updated, all submitted and approved PCN claims will reflect the uplifted maximum reimbursement amounts. From August onwards, PCNs should submit claims that reflect the increased monthly salaries paid to staff. Whilst the uplifted maximum reimbursable rates will be visible in claim statements for the period April to July, the actual values claimed will remain unchanged in the system. 

Processing Backdated Uplifts:

ICBs are responsible for facilitating the onward payment of these amounts to their respective PCNs. The calculations of the difference between the new reimbursement values and the amounts already processed through the usual ARRS claims for PCNs will be done centrally. However the ICB should check the calculations to ensure they are an accurate reflection. This should be shared with the PCNs who – if they agree with that value – should pay the backdated uplifts to staff. Once the uplifted payments have been made, PCNs will submit a single claim form to the ICB, confirming the total amount of uplift paid. This should only include claim lines for staff who the PCN have passed on the backdated pay uplift to. PCNs must have made the extra payments to staff before submitting the single claim form.

ICBs will then be responsible for submitting PCN Variation Templates to Primary Care Support England (PCSE). These templates should be submitted for each unique ARRS role paycode for the total difference in claim values. ICBs who pay PCNs directly will need to make the necessary payment arrangements in accordance with their standard finance process.

We will provide a breakdown of the updated payment values for each PCN within the ICB in early August, accompanied by a technical step by step instruction setting out the process.

PCNs should continue to submit claims reflecting the current, pre-uplifted maximum reimbursement rates for July. The ARRS claims portal will be taken offline on Tuesday 29 July to enable the system to be updated and relaunched on 1 August.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.