Nursing homes paid for curbing COVID-19 cases, deaths

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will distribute approximately $333 million in an initial round of performance payments to 10,000 nursing homes that significantly reduced COVID-19 infections and deaths between August and September. HHS has allocated $2 billion to fund the incentive program, with payments disbursed in five performance cycles. This program will reward nursing homes for keeping COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among their residents lower than community rates in their service areas, as analyzed against CDC data. (HHS news release, 10/28/20)