American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Incentives for Providers
In Section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was given the authority to allocate federal funding to states to implement workforce development programs within their home and community-based programs. The funding is being allocated by AHCCCS within their HCBS Spending Plan to eligible HCBS agencies based on their provider type and services. The $1.3B in funding is intended to enhance, expand, or strengthen home and community-based services (HCBS) under the Medicaid program, and each agency will allocate their ARPA funds uniquely in an effort to recruit and retain a knowledgeable and well-trained workforce of Direct Service Professionals (DSPs AKA providers). The amount of ARPA funds that each agency receives is subject to change pending additional modifications made to the HCBS Spending Plan, and related to the total number of services provided by the agency. These time-limited payments will be made in State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2022, 2023, and 2024 and dispersed from AHCCCS to DDD to agency.
Absolute HCBS is committed to advocating for our providers, to improving workforce development within home and community-based services, and ensuring that every provider has access to ARPA incentives.
Our agency must follow specific guidelines in regards to spending this funding. All of our programs and initiatives are focused on provider retention and recruitment. In 2022, our agency used ARPA funding to implement a variety of programs, including an hourly shift bonus, retention stipends, coverage bonuses, training reimbursements etc. ARPA funding is temporary and limited. ARPA incentives may vary from agency to agency or year to year.
We are pleased to announce that our agency has received our 2023 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from AHCCCS/DDD.
Absolute’s ARPA bonuses and incentives vary from last year. ARPA bonuses and incentives are subject to change and availability. ALL ARPA funds must be expensed per state guidelines and currently the deadline is set at 12/31/23.
Incentives are retroactively available from 5/16/23 and are available until 12/31/23 (unless state guidelines change) and while funding lasts.
Please read more about our ARPA incentives and bonuses below.
Absolute's 2023 ARPA Bonuses and Incentives - Overview
Absolute HCBS bonuses and incentives are available 5/16/23 – 12/31/23, or while funding is available. ARPA bonuses and incentives are subject to change, eligibility and availability. All funds will be expensed to improve and promote workforce development, in accordance with applicable federal, state and department laws.
$3/hr Hourly Rate Bonus
Between 5/16/23 and 12/31/23; all providers will receive a $3/hr hourly rate bonus for all services billed.
**Base rates are not changing – agency base rates are $18.50/hr HAH, $16.00/hr ATC, and $15.50/hr RSP before applicable taxes. Rates inclusive of this bonus are effectively $21.50/hr HAH, $19.00/hr ATC, and $18.50/hr RSP before applicable taxes.**
What hours are eligible for this bonus?
All HAH, HAH2, ATC, ATC2, RSP, RSP2, RSP3, HSK and EVENT hours are eligible for the hourly rate bonus. Overtime, training, travel and sick hours are excluded from the hourly rate bonus.
What do I do to get this bonus?
Providers do not need to do anything to receive this bonus, it will be automatically given to providers during each payroll based on the total number of eligible hours billed.
Example: A provider submits 5 hours of ATC, 5 hours of HAH and 5 hours of RSP for payroll. They have 15 hours eligible for the $3/hr hourly rate bonus, (15 hrs x $3/hr = $45 gross total bonus).
July/December Retention Bonuses (Tiered)
All providers have the opportunity to earn up to 2 retention bonuses, the first in July and the second in December.
Providers who average 25 or more hours a week will receive a $250 net pay (take home) bonus. Providers who average 24 hours or less a week will receive a $200 net pay (take home) bonus.
Who is eligible for this bonus?
Providers must have billed at least once during 6/1/23-7/15/23 or 11/1/23-12/15/23 in order to receive this bonus. All billed hours count towards this bonus.
What do I do to get this bonus/how do we know what our average hours are?
Providers do not need to do anything to receive this bonus, it will be automatically given to providers.
The first retention bonus is based on the average hours billed between 6/1/23-7/15/23; with bonuses being paid out with the 7/20/23 payroll. The second retention bonus is based on the average hours billed between 11/1/23-12/15/23; with bonuses being paid out with the 12/20/23 payroll.
$20 New Provider Referral Bonus
Between 5/16/23 and 12/31/23; Current providers can refer new providers and earn a $200 net pay bonus.
Who is eligible for this bonus?
Parent providers are prohibited from receiving this bonus by referring a new provider intended for their own member. This includes any family member or friend that is referred with the intention of working with the parent provider’s own member (such as a spouse, step-parent, sibling, grandparent, extended family member, friend or community member). We are still happy to accept a specific provider referral from a parent provider for their member without the referral bonus, but because a parent provider controls their member’s service plan, we must follow anti-kickback laws and consider these situations exclusionary. Parent providers can still receive this bonus for all other new provider referrals, as long as the new provider was not hired to work directly with their member.
All other providers can refer any other provider to receive this bonus.
If you have any questions about the eligiblity of a referral, please reach out to your Area Manager.
Who is eligible for this bonus?
This bonus is not automatically issued, and referring providers must request this bonus using our online Referral Bonus Request Form English / Spanish. Paper forms will only be accepted if they are handwritten with wet-ink signatures. Paper forms will not be accepted via scan & email, they must be mailed to or dropped off at your local office. Please use the digital request form whenever possible.
Request a paper form by calling Payroll at 602-775-8557. Email requests will not be accepted.
All requests must be made within 90 days of the new provider’s hiring date.
When is this bonus paid?
This bonus is paid out after the referred provider has been employed and billing for at least 60 days.
Fingerprint Clearance Card Fee Reimbursements
Providers who either newly obtain or renew their Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card can request a $75 reimbursement after 60 days of hire or continued employment between 5/16/23 and 12/31/23.
Who is eligible for this bonus?
All new hires, existing providers, and admin can request a fingerprint clearance reimbursement. This applies to newly obtained cards or renewed cards.
All reimbursement requests must include a receipt. Requests that do not include a copy of the receipt will not be accepted.
What do I do to get this reimbursement?
This reimbursement is not automatically issued, and providers must request the reimbursement using our online Fingerprint Clearance Reimbursement Form here. Receipts must be included; any submission without receipt will not be paid. Paper forms will only be accepted if they are handwritten with wet-ink signatures. Paper forms will not be accepted via scan & email, they must be mailed to or dropped off at your local office. Please use the digital request form whenever possible.
Request a paper form by calling Payroll at 602-775-8557. Email requests will not be accepted.
How do I receive ARPA funding?
If you work for multiple agencies, you may notice other agencies processing their ARPA incentives differently. Each agency has their own payroll procedures for processing these bonuses.
Absolute HCBS is processing ARPA incentives (except for Fingerprint reimbursements) on a separate direct deposit (or paper check) for each payroll so that we can remain compliant with the supplemental wages tax rate (22%) and not add undo stress on our providers when it comes time to file taxes next year.
Net pay bonuses are bonuses that already include the supplemental wages tax rate. Absolute HCBS is covering both the employee and employer taxes for these bonuses so that you get the full bonus amount in your paycheck. For example, when we say its a $200 net pay bonus, that means you actually get $200 to “take home”!
SpokeChoice will not reflect any bonus programs pertaining to ARPA funding. You will be able to login to your Paylocity portal to view your ARPA deposit information each pay period as applicable.
All HAH, HAH2, RSP, RSP2, RSP3, ATC, ATC2, HSK and EVENT hours are eligible for the $3/hr ARPA bonus. Overtime, training, travel and sick hours are excluded from the bonus.
If you billed eligible hours during a pay period but did not receive a second ARPA bonus check, please email payroll@absolutehcbs.com for assistance.
If you are eligible for and receiving a fingerprint reimbursement, you will receive this payment via the same method as you receive your paychecks (either electronic or paper check).
Since this is a reimbursement, it is not subject to any taxes and will not be processed with payroll. You will not see this reimbursement in your Paylocity portal. Approved reimbursement requests will be paid within 48 business hours.
If you were approved for a fingerprint reimbursement but did not receive a separate direct deposit or paper check for it, please email payroll@absolutehcbs.com for assistance.
If you need assistance with determining your eligibility for an ARPA bonus or about the individual bonus structures, please reach out to your Area Manager.
If you need assistance with a payment for a bonus you are eligible for but did not receive, or any other funding questions, please reach out to payroll@absolutehcbs.com.
Providers will receive 2 direct deposits (or paper checks) from now until the end of the program.
- The first deposit (or paper check) will reflect your base rates and the hours you worked, as well as your typical federal and state tax liabilities.
- The second deposit (or paper check) will reflect your ARPA bonuses less the supplemental wages tax rate (22% federal tax). ARPA bonuses subject to the supplemental wages tax rate are the $3/hr hourly bonus, any referral bonuses, the two retention bonuses in July/December and the immediate appreciation bonus. Please note that the referral, retention and appreciation bonuses are all net pay (take home) bonuses, meaning that Absolute HCBS is covering both the employee and employer taxes. Net pay bonuses are inclusive of the total amount that you will “take home” on your paycheck after taxes.
- For example: A provider works 20 hours of HAH and 5 hours of ATC in a pay period at their base rates. Their first check would reflect compensation for 20 hours of HAH and 5 hours of ATC at their base rates, less federal & state taxes. The second check would reflect the bonus compensation for 25 total hours at a $3 per hour rate and all other eligible ARPA incentives, less the supplemental wage tax.
We strongly encourage our providers to enroll in direct deposit so that they can enjoy their ARPA bonus in a more convenient, safe & secure payment method. If you currently receive a paper check and would like to switch to direct deposit, please email payroll@absolutehcbs.com for assistance.