National Quality Award Program

​​​​​​​About The Program

The 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 successful 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. ​​​​


2026 Quality Award Notification Dates

  • May 20 – Gold Site Visit Notification
  • May 28 – Bronze Notifications and Feedback Distribution 
  • July 9 – Silver Notification
  • August 7 – Gold Recipient Notification
  • August 27 – Silver and Gold (no site visit) Feedback Distribution 
  • September 10 – Gold Site Visit Applicant Feedback Distribution

​The Award Levels

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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
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.
  • 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
  • Month-By-Month Gold Roadmap
    Preparing 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 Packet
    This application and criteria are for all Provider types and includes essential information about the Gold Award, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.
  • Gold Submission Template
    Use 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 ahcancalED
    The 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 FAQs
    Covers important FAQs and was developed by Program Judges.
  • 2026 Gold Site Visit Recipient Characteristics
    To be recommended for a Site Visit an applicant must exhibit these characteristics.
  • 2026 Gold Quality Award Recipient Characteristics
    These are the characteristics that applicants must exhibit to be recommended for the Gold Quality award.
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? 

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‭(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

Shop the Quality Award Store!
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Learn About Baldrige

Questions?

‭(Hidden)‬ Survey Eligibility
Check to see if your center meets the survey eligibility requirements of the program.

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.