The West Virginia Department of Health
and Human Resources (DHHR) today announced that Gov. Jim Justice has approved a
$20 a day increase for all West Virginia nursing homes in recognition of their
response to COVID-19.
DHHR’s Bureau for Medical Services (WV
Medicaid) will submit an Emergency State Plan Amendment to increase the daily
rates by $20, retroactive to February 1, 2020. This will increase nursing home
reimbursement by $13.6 million dollars.
Under Executive Order No. 27-20, DHHR and the West Virginia National
Guard, in collaboration with West Virginia nursing homes, tested every West
Virginia nursing home resident and staff member.
“The response of West Virginia nursing
homes to mitigate the spread of the overwhelming pandemic was amazing and the
results of our testing of every nursing home in the state shows that,” said
DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch. “I am pleased that we can show our
appreciation with this increase from WV Medicaid.”