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​Payment Requirements & Guidance

Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments​

Payment requirements and guidance is for Covered Entities (CEs), Covered Services Employers (CSEs), Physician Group Entities (PGEs), or Independent Physicians who successfully re​gistered, applied on behalf of eligible workers, and were approved to receive funding to distribute Hospital and Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Worker Retention Payments (WRP). 

​​​​Application Approval & Funds Distribution Process

CEs, CSEs, PGEs, and Independent Physicians who successfully registered and applied by the deadline should have received an email from the Department of Health Care Services' (DHCS) mailbox, DoNotReplyWRP@dhcs.ca.gov, with the application status. Approved entities/physicians can expect the following:  

  • DHCS will release funds to approved entities and Independent Physicians at the mailing address provided during registration. Checks will be sent via first class mail through the United States Postal Service (USPS).

  • In addition, the entity's designated contact will receive a Payment Detail Report via email from WRP@dhcs.ca.gov with the names of all approved employees, the amount for which they were approved, and any exceptions.

  • Employers must release payments to employees within 60 days of receipt of funds.

    • For facility payment reporting requirements and other guidance, please review the Hospital Technical Letter No. 35, released by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).

  • Employers must also attest that the payment was made to approved employees. Attestation to DHCS must be made within 90 days of receipt of funds. The specific process for payment attestation will be posted on the WRP webpage within the Program Information & Guidance section in the coming weeks.  ​

​​Returned Check Guidance

As a CE, CSE, PGE, or Independent Physician, if you received WRP funds that could not be distributed within the allowed 60 days (i.e., unable to locate worker, received funds for an ineligible worker, etc.), please return the funds to DHCS. Employers must return and report to DHCS any undistributed funds within 90 days of receipt from DHCS. 

  • CE, CSE, PGE employers, or Independent Physicians would send one, lump sum check.

  • When returning funds, please note “WRP" within the memo of the check.

  • Along with the check, please include:

    • WRP registration number found on the payment report.

    • A list of the individual employee names and dates of birth for funds being returned.

  • Check and supporting documentation should be returned certified mail to the following address:

Department of Health Care Services
ATTN: Cashier Receipt's Unit
Mail Stop 1101
P.O. Box 997415
Sacramento, CA 95899-7415
Last modified date: 3/21/2023 1:44 PM