HFHCW Program Information

Program ending on June 17, 2022 for all participating facilities

On June 17, 2022, this program will be discontinued for all facilities. Existing hotel reservations will remain active, provided the checkout date is on or before June 17, 2022. The program will stop processing any new reservations or extensions as of June 16, 2022. All participants must check out of their hotels on or before June 17, 2022. The Program encourages participants to work directly with their employer to explore whether other similar programs are available for use.

Thank you to our healthcare workers and frontline workers for their dedication to serving those in need during this time of crisis. Your unwavering commitment to ensuring California’s residents receive the care they need and deserve is unsurpassed. On behalf of the state of California, we thank you for your service and are honored to have been able to play our small part in serving you.

Background

The Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) for California Healthcare Workers Program keeps California’s healthcare workers safe and healthy and reduces the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It provides free or discounted hotel rooms to healthcare workers who give critical care to COVID-19 patients so they do not bring home the virus to their household.

FEMA approved this program for emergency, non-congregate sheltering. This program is a government effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Under this program, eligible healthcare workers have a place to quarantine away from their household. This program has complete discretion in determining a participant’s eligibility and all aspects of the operation of the program. The program is not intended to create any rights or entitlement.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a paid room through this program, you must be a California resident and:

1. Work in a healthcare facility located in Riverside, Imperial, or San Diego counties as a healthcare worker, or work with a healthcare facility located in one of those three counties as one of the following:

  • Medical transport provider

  • First responder (fire, police, correctional, EMT, or paramedic)

  • Non-medical staff in a healthcare facility

  • Correctional facility staff

  • Work in California’s Health Corps or CAL MAT, as designated by the State

For the purpose of this program, a “healthcare facility” does not include in-home support services.

2. Have tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of exposure during your work at a facility (and do not need to be hospitalized), or be exposed to COVID-19 without wearing full PPE (gown, gloves, eye protection, respirator) - as identified by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html) through close contact with clients, patients, residents, or coworkers that either have:

  • Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Tested positive for COVID-19

For this purpose, close contact is 6 feet or less for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or longer over a 24-hour period.

3. Live with other people

4. Make $250,000 or less per year

5. Not be on travel status, or traveling from out of state

  • Travelers may be eligible for discounted rates

6. Work 150 miles or less from your regular place of residence between shifts

7. Provide a credit card or debit card with sufficient funds/credit for incidentals at hotel check-in

8. Present your employee ID badge at hotel check-in

Discounted hotel rates

If you are not eligible for a state-paid hotel room, you may be able to get a discounted rate. You will still need to pay for your hotel room. This applies if you are:

1. On travel status, or traveling from out of state

2. Work at an approved, certified facility more than 150 miles from your regular place of residence between shifts

3. Make $250,000 or more per year

Discounted rates depend on the hotel.

Reserving a room

All hotel reservations must be booked or approved by your facility’s Point of Contact. Ask your human resources or benefits office about your facility’s Point of Contact.

You have two ways to make a hotel reservation:

1. Contact your facility’s Point of Contact to request approval.

2. Call HRS at 646-517-4287. Your request will be put on hold until your Point of Contact approves it.

Do not share your personal health information with anyone.

Incidentals

This program does not include extra services (sometimes called incidentals) from the hotel, such as food, room service, valet, parking, or laundry. You are responsible for incidentals.

Guest obligations

By participating in this program, you agree to the guest obligations (https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/hotel-rooms-for-healthcare-workers-guest-obligations--en.pdf) (updated 4/30/21). Violating these obligations may result in any or all of the following:

  • Cancellation of your reservation
  • Full personal and financial liability for the cost of your stay
  • End of access to hotel reservations through this program

Point of Contact for healthcare facilities

Each healthcare facility must maintain a Point of Contact to take part in this program. The Point of Contact ensures workers meet the program eligibility criteria to reduce fraud and misuse. The Point of Contact also manages and oversees the hotel reservation process. This includes:

  • Verifying that workers are actively employed at their facility
  • Determining whether workers are eligible
  • Submitting and approving requests for hotel reservations
  • Other program-related matters

Questions and answers

Can routine travel for healthcare staff be covered under the Hotel Rooms for Healthcare Workers program?

No. Lodging for traveling healthcare providers should be accounted for in their contract through a stipend or in their hourly rate. The Hotel Rooms for Healthcare Workers program should not be used to pay for those costs. Traveling healthcare workers can access discounts provided by the program, but need to pay for the room on their own.

What if my facility’s Point of Contact rejects my reservation request?

If you meet the program eligibility criteria, you can access discounts provided by the program, but will have to pay for the room on your own.

If I work for a staffing agency or registry, who will my Point of Contact be?

Your Point of Contact is the one for the healthcare facility you are working for. Staffing agencies and registries are not authorized to designate a Point of Contact.