Invest in your organization’s future today.
The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process that evaluates an organization’s capabilities against nationally recognized standards for excellence. The three-level program is the most comprehensive and cost-effective performance assessment available to long-term and post-acute care 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. Providers are nationally recognized for achieving each award level and eventually join the ranks of the best in long-term care.
What is the value of the Program?
An outside perspective. Trained experts spend over 100 hours reviewing each application.
Learning from the feedback. Each applicant receives an objective written assessment of its strengths and opportunities for improvement based on an examination of the award application against the nationally recognized Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.
Team building. Pursuing a common goal motivates staff, resulting in energized improvement efforts.
Becoming stronger and more resilient. Anticipate, prepare for, and recover from disasters, emergencies, and other disruptions by working through the rigorous application process, resulting in an enhanced workforce, customer engagement, organizational productivity, and community well-being during times of change.
A focus on results. Organizations determine the most critical areas to measure, create value for key stakeholders, and improve performance in customer engagement, process performance, and health care outcomes. AHCA/NCAL’s Fast Facts resource assists with determining the best result process for long term care centers.
Recognition and pride. External acknowledgment of high-performing centers is the perfect information to share with your hospitals, stakeholders, and referral providers.
Important Dates
Mark these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for mor program updates.
- 2026 Application deadline: January 22, 2026 (8pm ET)
