Reminder – Responsibility To Reimburse New CNAs Testing and Training Cost

Have you employed any of the NC CareGiver student participants yet? One question, which has arisen from both students and facilities is “Who is responsible for reimbursing the student for their training and testing cost?” Participating Skilled Nursing Facilities have agreed to reimburse the employee for the testing and training cost for the NA I course if they paid for their training and testing. Your agreement to reimburse the students is consistent with the federal requirement Title 42 CFR 483.152 (c) (2). It states:

C Prohibition of charges.   

(1) No nurse aide who is employed by, or who has received an offer of employment from, a facility on the date on which the aide begins a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program may be charged for any portion of the program (including any fees for textbooks or other required course materials).   

(2) If an individual who is not employed, or does not have an offer to be employed, as a nurse aide becomes employed by, or receives an offer of employment from, a facility not later than 12 months after completing a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, the State must provide for the reimbursement of cost incurred in competing the program on a pro rata basis during the period in which the individual is employed as a nurse aide.   

The Medicaid Cost Report addresses the facility being reimbursed for the Medicaid portion of the nurse aide training.  

Please contact your Medicaid cost report preparer for additional information on the nurse aide training schedule of the Medicaid cost report.   

In addition to the reimbursement of the training and testing costs, Skilled Nursing Facilities also agree to pay the employee a $500 bonus if they work at your facility for six consecutive months.   

Advantages of participating in the program include:   

As a partner in the NC CareGivers, Program Administrators can take the on-demand course “Fearless in the Face of Crisis?” This course is available for free to participating NC CareGiver Program Administrators. Successful completion earns you seven CEUs. In addition, there are 15 free webinars over the next three years that are available to you and all your staff.   

Participating SNFs can also participate in the free Annual Employee Satisfaction/Engagement Survey that is sent out by NRC Health. You will receive the report as the administrator.   

Your facility is listed on our website www.NCCareGivers.org as a participant and NC CareGiver students will look here for participating employers.   

If you are not partnering with the NC CareGivers Program, what are you waiting for? Contact Renee Batts, Project Leader, at reneeb@futurecarenc.org for more information.