CMS Delay Of Survey Changes ‘A Gift’ That Skilled Nursing Providers Cannot Squander

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed nursing home survey changes for another month, with implementation now to begin April 28 rather than March 24. Associations and providers alike are glad they’re being given more time to prepare, educate and test procedures. CMS said the delay “allows ample time” for both surveyors […]

‘Massive Holes’: Nursing Homes Fear Medicaid Funding Collapse as House Passes GOP Bill

As Congress moves forward with a Republican budget resolution, Medicaid may be on the chopping block, with state governments expected to bear the cost. Nursing home leaders are warning that the cuts, if enacted, could hit the sector hard. On Tuesday night, the House narrowly passed a budget resolution, 217-215, losing only one Republican vote. […]

RFK Jr. Confirmed to Lead HHS Amid Concerns of Medicaid, Medicare Cuts

Nursing home leaders are hoping that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was sworn in on Thursday, will commit to protecting Medicare and Medicaid and undoing the federal staffing mandate. Republican lawmakers are pushing for potential Medicaid cuts in their spending bill due to be finalized […]

DOGE Gains Access to CMS Systems and Tech as Nursing Home Associations Monitor Impact Closely

Just days ago officials with the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were granted access to agency systems and technology at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), but it’s unclear how the department plans to use such findings, or what sort of impact it would have on nursing homes. Nursing home associations […]

‘A Jolt’: Inside the Operational Disruption at Nursing Homes from CMS’ Communication Freeze

The Trump administration’s communications freeze, which has indefinitely blocked a majority of external communications by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), continues to cause turmoil for nursing home operators. This freeze, imposed last week, has disrupted the flow of key health care data, and extends to several federal agencies, including the Centers for […]

‘Devastating’: Medicaid Cuts in Republican Crosshairs, With Nursing Homes Seen as Bearing Major Pain

Potential Medicaid cuts under President Donald Trump, amounting to more than $2.3 trillion over the span of a decade, are likely amid Republican leadership’s reluctance to trim Medicare and Social Security, with the nursing home sector expected to face deep impacts. In total, House Republicans are exploring over $5 trillion in potential cuts to offset […]

‘A Bit Disarming’: CMS, Health Agencies Pause Communication Per Trump Orders, Raising Concerns at Nursing Homes

The newly installed Trump administration late Tuesday prompted federal health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to pause external communications through Feb. 1. That includes regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories – communication that those in the nursing home industry regularly rely upon. Nursing home associations including the […]

‘Whole Different Ballgame’: Trump’s Executive Orders, Vision for First 100 Days Deemed Positive for Nursing Homes

Among the myriad executive orders signed by President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day Monday was one that freezes new regulations. A welcome relief for nursing home providers, the executive order reflects the new Republican administration’s overall preference for less regulation. However, it is worth noting that this executive order will not derail the staffing mandate […]

As CMS Proposes 4.33% Medicare Advantage Pay Increase, Experts See Better Negotiation Outlook for Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a 4.33% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which could have an overall positive trickle-down effect on nursing homes. Expected to be finalized under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, this slight payment boost comes after MA providers faced a modest rate reduction for 2025. […]

Executive Outlook 2025: While MA ‘Tightens the Screws’ on Nursing Homes, Sector Focuses on Reform, Workforce Solutions, I-SNPs

While 2025 remains a bit uncertain due to the federal staffing mandate and a new White House administration, leaders in the nursing home industry plan to continue working toward improving quality of care, addressing workforce challenges and advocating for fair regulation and reimbursements. Clif Porter, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center […]

Michael Bassett Replaces Clif Porter as Head of Government Relations for AHCA/NCAL

Michael Bassett was announced as the head of government relations for the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) on Monday, replacing Clifton J. Porter, who became the association’s president and CEO earlier this year. Porter lauded Bassett’s proven track record of securing wins on Capitol Hill. “Michael [is] not only […]

Final Argument in Staffing Rule Lawsuit Highlights Chevron Doctrine, But Appeals Could Drag On

The American Health Care Association, LeadingAge and other nursing home stakeholders involved in the lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate filed their final argument against the rule late on Friday, asking a federal judge to deny the federal agency’s cross-motion for summary judgement. Given that a judgement is expected early in the new year, […]

[UPDATED] CMS Rolls Out Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, Promises ‘Free’ CNA Training, RN Incentives

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued details on a national staffing campaign for the nursing home sector, aimed at increasing the number of nurses working in nursing homes and at state agencies that inspect nursing homes for compliance. The campaign continues the initiatives outlined in April, which ties $75 million funded […]

OIG Guidance Has Nursing Home Corporate Compliance – And ‘Tunneling’ – in its Crosshairs

Federal agencies are honing in on ownership transparency and corporate-level compliance, most recently with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) citing concerns about certain practices that allow nursing homes to hide profits. OIG’s latest guidance focuses on the practice of “tunneling,” which refers to the misrepresentation or concealment of profitability in payments to related parties, […]

Last Gasp or Reckoning: Making Sense of 2025 Nursing Home Survey Changes

Surveyors will be evaluating for compliance in new ways, as a result of nursing home survey changes for 2025. While significant, these changes reflect federal initiatives that associations and operators have been seeing for some time now. Nursing home providers are parsing through recent, significant changes to the survey process and trying to grasp the […]

Even With Extension, Nursing Homes Concerned CMS Medicare Revalidation Will Be Burdensome, Confusing, Pull Resources Away from the Bedside

Uncertainty surrounding the information required for the new nursing home Medicare revalidation process has led to high levels of concern, particularly among for-profit operators, who view it as yet another punitive measure. Following letters from nursing home advocates about the rushed timing of the off-cycle revalidations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has […]

Nursing Homes Cautiously Optimistic Post-Election, Reflecting on ‘Industry Friendly’ CMS Under Previous Trump Admin

Finance and operator voices alike are cautiously optimistic about prospects for the nursing home sector as the Trump administration prepares to enter the White House in January, alongside a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate that has historically been sympathetic to nursing home issues. When it comes to the federal minimum staffing mandate, Cascadia Healthcare’s […]

Post AHCA, Parkinson Joins Boards of Physiatry Group CRC, Nursing Home Giant Ensign

Former president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Mark Parkinson will be joining Comprehensive Rehab Consultants’ (CRC) board of directors as of Nov. 4. There was a “powerful alignment” in goals and values between Parkinson and leadership for CRC when they first connected, the company said […]

‘Opportunistic’ Nursing Homes That Gamed RUG-IV Now Upcoding in PDPM, Study Finds

A newly released study casts doubt on whether the shift to Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) succeeded in the goal of curbing so-called “upcoding” practices among nursing homes. Conducted by researchers from the University of Rochester and the University of Texas at Austin, the analysis spans seven years and found patterns of exploitation that […]