On April 30, 2020, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that approximately $81 million in CARES Act funding would be provided to State Agencies through September 20, 2023. This funding is to be used for:
- Completing Focused Infection Control Surveys in nursing homes through July 2020
- Increasing the number of Complaint surveys based on COVID-19 trend data that will be reported to the CDC
- Performing “re-opening” surveys of nursing facilities that have previous COVID-19 outbreaks using “unique survey protocols” that will ensure these facilities have Infection Control systems in place in the event there is another phase to the COVID-19 outbreak
- Procuring appropriate PPE for surveyors for on-site surveys
This is the first time funding for survey and certification activities has been increased since October 1, 2014, when the budget was set – and has remained at – $397 million per year. The funding increase amounts to a 6% increase in survey funding.
Read the CARES Act Financial Guidance for State Survey Agencies here.
