NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a new initiative to try and improve the overall experience for North Dakotans living in the state's nursing facilities. The Nursing Facility Incentive Program, developed in partnership with the North Dakota Long Term Care Association and nursing facility providers, gives an annual payment to facilities based on their performance in four resident care and facility process measures. Those measures, which come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are urinary tract infections, antipsychotic drugs, pressure ulcers, and hospitalizations.  Facilities are assigned points for each quality measure and placed in tiers, with tier one receiving the largest incentive payment. They can also get extra points if their facility completes a national quality training program offered by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. “The Nursing Facility Incentive Program offers valuable support to nursing facilities, allowing them to make meaningful improvements and be acknowledged for their efforts to enhance resident care. This initiative underscores the commitment of our providers to continuously improving the quality of care,” said North Dakota Long Term Care Association President Nikki Wegner. Prioritize health during Breast Cancer Awareness Month North Dakota lawmakers approved funding for the program during the 2023 legislative session. Every Medicare and Medicaid-certified facility in North Dakota that has been open for at least 10 months is participating in this program. Earlier this year, HHS awarded $4 million in incentive payments to 58 nursing facilities throughout the state. Four of them earned tier-one status. They include the Fargo Elim Health Care Center, Fargo; Nelson County Health System Care Center, McVille; Sanford Hillsboro Care Center, Hillsboro and Woodside Village, Grand Forks.   The rest earned tier two and three status. “These facilities have implemented many promising practices and made substantial changes to improve resident care over the past 14 months,” said Medical Services Division Director Sarah Aker. “We are committed to this partnership that will create better health outcomes for people and over time reduce health care costs.” To learn more about the Nursing Facility Incentive program, visit this website. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW