The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
released new instructions to assist Covered Entities, Covered
Service Employers (CEs/CSEs), and independent physicians or
physicians who are part of a Physician Group Entities (PGEs)
registration and application process to participate in Worker
Retention Payments (WRP).
Earlier this year, Governor Newsom signed a
budget trailer bill that authorized DHCS to establish a
process for issuing worker retention payments aimed at
stabilizing and retaining California’s health care workforce
through the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget includes $1.1 billion
for DHCS to provide funding to support retention payments of up
to $1,500 for eligible health care workers at hospitals and
skilled nursing facilities, subject to specific criteria as
specified on the
DHCS WRP webpage and
updated FAQs.
Beginning on October 21, 2022, CEs/CSEs and PGEs are required to
register with DHCS in order to participate in WRP. Once
registered, approved CEs/CSEs and PGEs will be provided a link to
apply for retention payments on behalf of eligible workers.
Applications will be accepted between November 29, 2022, and
December 30, 2022. DHCS encourages early submissions so all
applications can be validated prior to the final due date. DHCS
anticipates issuing payments to CEs/CSEs and PGEs in January
2023.
