The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has issued instructions on how assisted living facilities can access the $20 million in CARES Act funding distributed by Virginia. The program provides funds to cover expenses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic for the period from July 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020.

In June, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Virginia will use federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support licensed assisted living facilities in the Commonwealth with unreimbursed COVID-19 costs. Funding can be used to reimburse spending on staffing shortages, increasing infection control measures, purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), and other demonstrated COVID-19 costs. To receive reimbursement through this CARES Act funded program, facilities must first offset any other revenues specifically provided for COVID-19 expenses.

DMAS has been designated as the responsible agency to implement the program. For more information, please review the following documents:

• The enrollment form for eligible providers: DMAS CARES Act Enrollment Form with Instructions [pdf]
• A letter detailing eligible expenses, enrollment requirements, maximum reimbursement, and relevant deadlines: CARES Act Program Welcome Letter for Assisted Living Facilities [pdf]
• DMAS has been revising the required invoice workbook that must be submitted with supporting documentation for reimbursement. The invoice file is posted on the DMAS Covid-19 page—scroll to find the yellow Support for Providers icon and look for the file called “CARES Act Invoice Workbook with Instructions for Assisted Living Facilities [xlsx]”

DSS also issued this letter and timeline about the funding in July.

Specific questions from providers should be directed to MSLC at caresactinvoicing_nf@mslc.com.