HHS, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing it will distribute approximately $333 million in first round performance payments to over 10,000 nursing homes. These nursing homes are being recognized for demonstrating significant reductions in COVID-19 related infections and deaths between August and September.
In the first round of the incentive program, 10,631 nursing homes, or over 77 percent of the 13,795 eligible, met the infection control criteria. Overall, these nursing homes contributed to 5,000 fewer COVID-19 infections in nursing homes in September than in August. Against both the infection control and mortality criteria, 10,501 nursing homes, or 76 percent, qualified for payments and contributed to 1,200 fewer COVID-19 related nursing home deaths between August and September.
Nursing homes will receive September quality incentive payments next week and will have four more opportunities to receive additional incentive payments.