Nursing homes looking to improve their resident-facing technology can gain $6,000 for certain purchases through the Civil Money Penalties Reinvestment Program (CMPRP). This program, overseen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that regulates nursing homes, turns funds collected through enforcement efforts into resources that enhance care for nursing home residents. While it has been in existence for many years, the guidance on allowable uses continues to evolve as resident needs and technology offerings change.

This funding covers technologies that directly engage nursing home residents and yield measurable improvements in quality of care and quality of life. Solutions that are used purely for operations are not eligible.

Examples of allowable expenses include costs for virtual reality and therapeutic gaming systems that engage residents and keep them moving, as well as interactive cognitive training solutions that stimulate residents’ mentation. E-books and other educational resources for residents, technology-based staff training that improves care delivery, and care systems using artificial intelligence technology are eligible for this funding, as well as equipment such as assistive devices with proven resident benefits.

The agency recently refreshed and clarified its guidance on which technology categories qualify, placing greater emphasis on resident-facing engagement tools, cognitive supports, and therapeutic technologies.

Expansions and updates to the program continue to be a focus of LeadingAge’s advocacy on members’ behalf. Back in May 2025, LeadingAge national and our state partners urged the agency to make changes; in September, CMS announced revisions that include behavioral health and workforce development. Updates to CMP reinvestment program resources released earlier this month aim to assist providers in making CMPRP funding requests. Our ongoing advocacy to make telemedicine supplies a CMPRP allowable expense will continue in the coming year.

If your organization is pursuing technologies that may be eligible for this funding, learn more by exploring the CMPRP Application Resources, including the Application Handbook, available in the CMPRP Downloads section. Applications are submitted through state agencies and are due up to 120 days before project start date. CMS has also updated several resource documents to better outline eligible categories, application expectations, and examples of acceptable technology purchases.