Pennsylvania’s newly approved budget for 2021-2022 includes nearly $300 million in additional COVID-19 relief funding for the state’s senior living facilities.
The funding will be used primarily to assist the state’s Medicaid facilities with low-income residents. These nursing homes will receive $198 million based upon their Medical Assistance days in the year preceding the pandemic. Another $49 million will be allocated to Pennsylvania nursing homes based upon the number of licensed beds for each facility as of March 31, 2020.
Pennsylvania’s personal care homes and assisted living facilities will receive $30 million based upon pre-pandemic occupancy levels, using state inspection data as of April 1, 2020.
Direct payments to Pennsylvania senior living facilities must be used for COVID-19-related costs not otherwise reimbursed by federal or state programs.
In addition to direct payments, the state budget allocates $5 million for HVAC system improvement grants to lessen the future risk of COVID-19 transmission. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services will release further details concerning eligibility, with grants limited to $15,000 per facility.
If you have any questions about this additional funding for COVID-19 relief, or the eligibility requirements for senior living facilities, please contact me or anyone in the Barley Snyder Senior Living Industry Group.
