National Quality Award Program

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About The Program

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a nationally recognized performance excellence program that helps long term and post-acute care organizations strengthen quality, improve performance, and achieve better outcomes.

Through a rigorous, three-level journey, participating organizations assess their performance against nationally recognized standards of excellence, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, and build sustainable systems that support long-term success. More than an awards program, it provides a proven framework for continuous improvement and organizational excellence.

Organizations advance through three progressive award levels—Bronze – Commitment to Quality, Silver – Achievement in Quality, and Gold – Excellence in Quality—with each level requiring an increasingly comprehensive demonstration of performance, results, and commitment to quality.​

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2027 Cycle Key Dates

  • Intent to Apply Deadline – Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 8pm ET
  • Application Deadline – Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 8pm ET​

3 Steps to Submit Your I​ntent to Apply

  1. Visit the Quality Award Portal.
  2. Login using your designated username and password.
  3. Navigate to your center's dashboard and select Payment to submit your Intent to Apply.​

​The Award Levels

Bronze Award

qaward_24bronze.pngAbout 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 Resources
  • Month-By-Month Bronze Roadmap
    Wondering 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.
  • 2027 Bronze Application and Criteria Packet
    This application and criteria is for all providers (SNF, ID/DD and AL)
  • Bronze Application Template
    This application template can be used to record your responses to the Bronze criteria, before inputting them into the Quality Award Portal.
  • 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 Resources

‭(Hidden)‬ 2021 Bronze Key Dates
Notification
June 3, 2021

Silver Award

qaward_24silver.pngAbout 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 Resources
  • Month-By-Month Silver Roadmap
    Preparing 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.
  • 2027 Silver Application and Criteria Packet
    This 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 Template
    Use 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 ahcancalED
    The 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 FAQs
    Covers important FAQs and was put together by Examiners.
Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents for Assisted Living

‭(Hidden)‬ 2021 Silver Key Dates
Notification
June 24, 2021

Gold Award

qaward_24gold.pngAbout 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 Spotlight

2025
  • Garden Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, LLC, Shreveport, LA
  • NHC Healthcare, Maryland Heights, Maryland Heights, MO
  • Nottingham Health and Rehabilitation , Olathe, KS
2024​ 

2023​ 

2022 

2021 
2020 ​

Gold Application & Resources
Essential Resources
Supporting Documents
Supporting Documents for Assisted Living

‭(Hidden)‬ 2021 Gold Key Dates

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Quality Award Stories
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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.​
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Quality Award Portal Resource Center
Need assistance with the Quality Award Portal? 

‭(Hidden)‬ New

‭(Hidden)‬ Multi-Facility Support Plan (MSP)
Is your organization submitting 15 or more applications in 2025? Consider signing up for this resource!

Quality Award Recipients

The Program

Survey Eligibility
Check to see if your center meets the 2027 Program survey eligibility requirements.

Shop the Quality Award Store!
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Learn About Baldrige

Questions?

Thank You 2026 Program Sponsors




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​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.