National Quality Award Program Page Content About The ProgramThe AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program helps you to evaluate your organization's strengths and opportunities, identify critical areas for improvement, and implement a plan to be stronger, more resilient, and suc c essful than ever before. The three-level program evaluates long term care organizations capabilities against nationally recognized standards for excellence, making it one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective performance assessments available to providers. Each progressive award levels— Bronze – Commitment to Quality, Silver - Achievement in Quality, and Gold – Excellence in Quality, requires a more detailed demonstration of superior performance. Learn more about the value of the program for your organization and your workforce. Submit Your Intent to Apply Today! Log into the Quality Award PortalSelect PaymentSubmit your Intent to Apply PaymentThat's it! The Intent to Apply is only a payment you need to make. IMPORTANT DATES Mark these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for more program updates.Elevating Excellence Awards Ceremony: October 21, 2025Intent to Apply deadline: November 13, 2025 (8 pm ET)2026 Application deadline: January 22, 2026 (8pm ET) The Award Levels 2020 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program Recipients: Thank You For All You Do Bronze Bronze Award About the Bronze Award The first step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The Bronze Award level provides applicants with the tools and resources they need for continuous improvement in quality care. Through the Bronze criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, applicants will assess their organization’s mission, vision, and key factors that lead to success. At this award level, utilizing the criteria questions applicants develop an organizational profile for their center. Applying for the AHCA/NCAL Bronze National Quality Award gives your organization a strong foundation for the second step—the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award level. Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. Bronze Application & Resources Essential ResourcesMonth-By-Month Bronze RoadmapWondering when and where to start your Quality Award journey? This roadmap provides a suggested timeline and steps to use the right resources at the right time.Bronze SNCC ID/DD Application and Criteria PacketThis application and criteria is for Skilled Nursing Care Centers (SNCC) & Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Residential Services Providers.Bronze Assisted Living Application and Criteria PacketThis application and criteria is for Assisted Living Providers.Bronze Criteria Video Series on ahcancalED The Bronze Criteria Series are short videos, each covering an individual question in the Bronze Criteria to help applicants work through each section of the application. Be sure to register your team on ahcancalED.Supporting ResourcesBronze FAQsRenewal PolicyBronze Application 10 Week PlanIn addition to the Month-by-Month Bronze Roadmap, this outlines an action plan to responding to the Bronze criteria. (Hidden) 2021 Bronze Key Dates NotificationJune 3, 2021 Silver Silver Award About the Silver Award The second step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. At the Silver Award level, applicants continue to learn and develop effective approaches that help improve performance and health care outcomes. The Silver criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, provide applicants with a thorough assessment of how their organization works, its effectiveness, and tools for improvement in their approaches. The Silver level gives a clear pathway for recipients moving to the highest honor of recognition, the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. Applicants must receive a Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award before applying at the Silver level. Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. Silver Application & Resources Essential ResourcesMonth-By-Month Silver RoadmapPreparing to continue your Quality Award journey by applying for the Silver Award? This roadmap provides a suggested timeline and steps to use the right resources at the right time.Silver Application and Criteria PacketThis application packet includes important information about the Silver Award, eligibility requirements, and deadlines. Applicants must read this packet in full before beginning to write and submit their application.Silver Submission TemplateUse this Submission Template to record your responses to the Silver Criteria. This template includes the criteria codes and must be converted to a PDF before uploading to the Portal.Silver Criteria Video Series on ahcancalEDThe Silver Criteria Series are short videos, each covering an individual question in the Silver Criteria to help applicants work through each section of the application. Be sure to register your team on ahcancalED to access.Silver Application FAQsCovers important FAQs and was put together by Examiners.Supporting DocumentsQuality Award Comparative Data in LTC Trend TrackerThis resource guides providers on using LTC Trend Tracker to acquire comparative data to utilize during and outside of applying for a Quality Award.Silver Scoring Calibration GuidelinesApplicants can utilize these Guidelines to understand the demands of the various scoring ranges and reference the tool that Examiners utilize to score applications in 2025. 2026 updates are forthcoming.Silver Self-Assessment AHCA/NCAL Self-assessment to Determine a Center’s Readiness to Apply for the Silver Award.Silver Award Level: Learning Guidance“Learning” is a key element of the Silver Award level, reference this document for additional information.Renewal PolicyProcess Evaluation and Improvement TrackerSupporting Documents for Assisted LivingData Resource for Assisted Living ProvidersThis resource is a list of potential data sources that Assisted Living providers may utilize to get comparative data. (Hidden) 2021 Silver Key Dates NotificationJune 24, 2021 Gold Gold Award About the Gold Award The final step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. Recipients of the Gold Award are considered the best of the best in the profession. At the Gold Award level, applicants must show superior performance in areas of the criteria including leadership, strategic planning, and customer and staff satisfaction. By completing the Gold level criteria, organizations take their quality journey to a higher level through the valuable feedback received in the application process and thereby reaching organizational goals. Gold applicants address the Baldrige Excellence Framework in its entirety. Applicants are required to receive the Bronze – Commitment to Quality and Silver – Achievement in Quality Awards before applying at the Gold level. Questions about the contents of this program may be directed to qualityaward@ahca.org. Gold Award Spotlight2024 Loftland Park Center of Genesis Healthcare in Seaford, DELibby Care Center of Cascadia Healthcare in Libby, MT 2023 Aspen Park of Cascadia, Cascadia Healthcare, in Moscow, IdahoLewiston Transitional Care of Cascadia, Cascadia Healthcare, in Lewiston, Idaho2022 South Davis Specialty Care, Bountiful, UtahMountain Valley of Cascadia, Kellogg, Idaho2021 Magnolia Manor of Marion County, Buena Vista, GeorgiaMaine Veterans' Home - Bangor, Bangor, Maine2020 Treutlen County Health and Rehabilitation, Soperton, Georgia Burgess Square Healthcare Centre, Westmont, Illinois Heritage of Bel Air, Norfolk, Nebraska Applewood Rehabilitation Center, Winchester, New Hampshire Gold Application & Resources Essential ResourcesMonth-By-Month Gold RoadmapPreparing to continue your Quality Award journey by applying for the Gold Award? This roadmap provides a suggested timeline and steps to use the right resources at the right time.Gold Application and Criteria PacketThis application and criteria are for all Provider types and includes essential information about the Gold Award, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.Gold Submission TemplateUse this Submission Template to record your responses to the Gold Criteria. This template includes the criteria codes and must be converted to a PDF before uploading to the Portal.Gold Criteria Video Series on ahcancalEDThe Gold Criteria Series are short videos, each covering an individual question in the Gold Criteria to help applicants work through each section of the application. Be sure to register your team on ahcancalED to access.Gold Applicant FAQsCovers important FAQs and was developed by Program Judges.2025 Gold Site Visit Recipient CharacteristicsTo be recommended for a Site Visit an applicant must exhibit these characteristics.2025 Gold Quality Award Recipient CharacteristicsThese are the characteristics that applicants must exhibit to be recommended for the Gold Quality award.Supporting DocumentsQuality Award Comparative Data in LTC Trend TrackerThis resource guides Providers on using LTC Trend Tracker to acquire comparative data to use during and outside of applying for a Quality Award.Gold Scoring Calibration GuidelinesApplicants can utilize these Guidelines to understand the demands of the various scoring ranges and reference the tool that Examiners utilize to score applications in 2025. 2026 updates are forthcoming.Gold Self-Assessment Considering applying for the Gold Quality Award? This self-assessment is designed to help you determine if your organization is ready to complete the Gold Quality Award Application.Gold Award Level: Learning Guidance“Learning” is a key element of the Gold Award level, reference this document for additional information.Renewal PolicySupporting Documents for Assisted LivingData Resource for Assisted Living ProvidersThis resource is a list of potential data sources that Assisted Living providers may utilize to get comparative data. (Hidden) 2021 Gold Key Dates Latest Quality Award News It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Quality Award Stories Explore our Quality Award Stories website and discover remarkable achievements in long term care. Share your Quality Award journey and showcase how it has elevated your organization’s standards and outcomes. Your story could inspire others and be featured in our national communications, highlighting your commitment to excellence. Submit your story today to join a network of dedicated providers striving for continuous improvement. Be inspired by your peers and contribute to a legacy of outstanding care.Visit & Share Today Quality Award Portal Resource Center Need assistance with the Quality Award Portal? click here (Hidden) New Leveraging Data for Quality Improvement (Hidden) Multi-Facility Support Plan (MSP) Is your organization submitting 15 or more applications in 2025? Consider signing up for this resource! Learn more! SIGN UP TODAY! Quality Award Recipients 2024/2025 RecipientsPromotion ToolkitsCeremony Pictures The Program Issue Brief Brochure Fast FactsLeveraging DataBaby Boomers & ALs Renewal Policy Board ExaminersExaminer Program Fast Facts Panel of Judges Logo Use Policy Survey Eligibility Check your Survey Eligibility by clicking the link below. Click Here Shop the Quality Award Store! Learn About Baldrige Baldrige VS AccreditationBaldrige National Quality Award OverviewBaldrige Performance Excellence ProgramBaldrige Alliance for Performance ExcellenceBaldrige Foundation Questions? EMAIL US!qualityaward@ahca.org (Hidden) Survey Eligibility Check to see if your center meets the survey eligibility requirements of the program. Click Here Thank You 2025 Program Sponsors Untitled [4] Quality Award Survey Requirements These survey requirements resources provide applicants information on whether or not they currently meet the survey requirements to receive a Quality Award. A full description of the survey requirements at each level is available in the award level specific application packet.