Next Application Deadline for Nursing Home VAPAP Is Dec. 15th

(Nov. 26, 2024) Nursing home providers seeking 2024-25 Nursing Home Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP) funding should submit their application by Dec. 15, 2024. The program offers nursing homes in severe financial distress the opportunity to apply for one-time, non-reoccurring, short-term financial assistance while they “plan for the implementation of longer-term solutions to achieve financial sustainability.” The program is funded at $25 million per year, down from $100 million annually in the prior two years.

Nursing homes seeking financial assistance should submit a formal application through this process. To apply, a facility must have less than 15 days of cash on hand AND have a negative operating margin in the last two calendar years AND have no outstanding payments due to the Department of Health (DOH). In addition, the applicant, along with any related or affiliated entities, may not currently be the subject of known investigation or enforcement action by federal or state agencies and must have submitted the appropriate cost report.

Full information on the program, including eligibility, application evaluation criteria, and the complete application packet, is available here. The site notes that Nursing Home VAPAP is not intended for emergency situations or immediate payroll concerns. If a nursing home is not able to provide adequate care to a resident at any time during that resident's stay, the nursing home is required to contact their respective regional office of the Department of Health and must provide the necessary information to assist with any relocation needs, including but not limited to assistance with arranging transportation to an alternate facility that can provide the necessary care and services for the resident.

While members who have gone through the process describe a lengthy, often frustrating process with mixed outcomes, we do recommend that nursing homes in financial distress review the criteria and consider submitting an application that focuses on the listed evaluation criteria. Please contact us with questions and share your experiences with the program.

Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841