New Online Toolkit Helps Clinicians Put Food is Medicine into Practice Resource offers practical guidance for all aspects of integrating nutrition-based care into health systems Press release: Newswise — A new online resource aims to …
The June 2026 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2027 SNF VBP Program are now available for download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). These reports provide SNFs their facility-level measure results …
From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/scoring-methodology-payment-adjustment
The June 2026 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2027 SNF VBP Program are now available for download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). These reports provide SNFs their facility-level measure results …
From MLN Connects eNews: CMS will relaunch the Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) in the coming months for all Medicare facility types, including hospitals, post-acute care providers, and specialty facilities. PEPPER is …
Transmittal # R242SOMA Issue Date 2026-05-29 Subject Revisions to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Chapter 9 Exhibits. I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: CMS is revising Chapter 9 of the SOM to remove many model letters or links to exhibits …
Written by Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, Chief Nursing Officer, AAPACN Lessons from My Backyard: Thrive. Evolve. Lead. As the Chief Nursing Officer at AAPACN, I spend much of my time thinking …
The AAPACN Podcasts—LTC DON Chat and LTC NAC Chat—offer tips, strategies, updates, advice, and breaking news on the most important topics in long-term and post-acute care. Regular hosts and AAPACN staff members provide their own …
Clarification regarding Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) requirements and allowable flexibilities Memo # QSO-26-08-NH Posting Date 2026-04-08 Fiscal Year 2026 Memorandum Summary Clarification of NATCEP Requirements and allowable flexibilities: …
Memo # QSO-26-03-NH REVISED Posting Date 2026-04-03 Fiscal Year 2026 Downloads AAPACN note: Some of the key revisions in red from the memo are excerpted below. There are a number of significant changes to the chapters themselves, including …
From the Introduction: “This toolkit aims to [provide] an overview of fundamental ethical principles and decision-making frameworks tailored to PALTC settings. Designed for nursing home medical directors and other members of the interdisciplinary care team, …
In the Water-related Healthcare Outbreak Response Tool, you will find key considerations for investigating an outbreak and identifying possible exposures, coordinating with essential partners, and implementing targeted interventions to stop transmission. This tool is hospital-focused but …
From Moving Forward: Nursing homes continue to face real challenges building leadership capacity and sustaining meaningful Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) work amid staffing shortages, leadership turnover, and competing demands. The Moving Forward Michigan …
Overview This job aid provides the steps involved to onboard the Provider Security Official (PSO) Role in iQIES. ● For detailed information on onboarding, refer to iQIES Onboarding Guide. ● For detailed information about user …
Every month, AAPACN experts design tools that help our members perform their jobs with more ease, breaking down processes, synthesizing information, and aiding in ways to track required data. To help directors of nursing services …
Reminder: Upcoming Deadline for Sprinkler System Requirement for Existing Health Care Occupancies in High-Rise Buildings Memo # QSSAM-26-02-ALL Posting Date 2026-03-09 Fiscal Year 2026 Downloads Memorandum Summary • This memorandum is intended to remind CMS-certified …
Emergency Preparedness for Every Emergency Effective Health Care Provider Emergency Planning Sound, timely planning provides the foundation for effective emergency management. The response to an emergency can impact an entire community and can involve numerous medical …
This job aid outlines the user roles and privileges in iQIES. All users must have a role in iQIES. iQIES User Roles Matrix Job Aid v5.0 (posted 03/03/2026) From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
Are you a nursing home administrator striving to lead your organization with confidence, clarity, and cutting-edge knowledge? The AAPACN 2026 Conference, taking place March 17–20, 2026, in Orlando, FL, now features a dedicated Administrator Track …
PBJ updated the fatal edit -4019 in data specification versions 2.00.0, 2.00.3, and 4.00.0. Previously, optional hire and termination dates could not exceed December 31, 2025. This restriction has been extended to December 31, 2050. …
Interim final rule with comment period. SUMMARY: This interim final rule with comment period repeals provisions of the final rule titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional …
Nearly All Skilled Nursing Services Provided by Pinnacle Multicare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Did Not Meet Medicare Payment Requirements Issued on 11/14/2025 | Posted on 11/18/2025 | Report number: A-02-22-01017 Report Materials Why OIG Did This Audit What OIG Found What …
In skilled nursing facilities across the country, quality care is not just a standard—it is a promise to residents and families who place their trust in dedicated caregivers. At Genesis Healthcare, that promise is being …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries while significantly reducing unnecessary spending and promoting payment accuracy. The calendar year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule advances primary …
Memo # QSO-25-26-NH Posting Date 2025-09-29 Fiscal Year 2025 Memorandum Summary CMS is committed to reinvesting civil money penalty (CMP) funds in projects thatsupport nursing home residents and protect or improve their quality of care and life.Therefore, we …
AAPACN Resources to Help Prepare for Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Changes The Long Term-Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual version 1.20.1 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) goes into …
What does it take to be a successful DNS? AAPACN’s Body of Knowledge for the Role of Director of Nursing Services in Long-Term Care identifies, defines, and measures the core competencies required of DNSs practicing …
Memo # Admin Info-25-11-ALL Posting Date 2025-09-12 Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Memorandum Summary The Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) and Survey & Operations Group (SOG) remain dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of …
Information on how surveyors currently manage the nursing home survey process: CMS iQIES S&C User Manual: Manage a Survey LTC Facilities v1.2 (Posted 09/03/2025) From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/confidential-feedback-reporting-review-and-corrections From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/scoring-methodology-payment-adjustment
The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) surveys nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) every other year on aspects of their work, salary, and time. The 2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report offers valuable …
This user manual addresses the processes necessary to perform Survey & Certification (S&C) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) functions in iQIES. CMS iQIES S&C User Manual: ePOC – Provider ePOC Admin Role v1.2 (Posted 07/22/2025) …
At Eventide Senior Living, people come first. From residents to staff, the organization understands that delivering high-quality care starts with a confident, well-supported team. That’s why Eventide has taken a thoughtful and proactive approach to …
This manual provides general background and information about the submission requirements, such as sample submission screens, submission deadlines, and definitions of job categories. Note: Changes from the previous version of this policy manual are identified …
Release of CMS-2567: Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction Memo # QSO-25-19-All Fiscal Year 2025 Memorandum Summary • CMS is committed to the transparency of quality of care findings, so that patients, residents, and …
AHRQ has released an updated Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) Nursing Home Survey Version 2.0. This revised survey is designed to help nursing homes assess staff perceptions of resident safety culture in their organizations. The survey …
Medical directors at nursing homes are responsible for implementing resident care policies, coordinating medical care, and participating in quality assessment and assurance activities. Nursing homes are required to report hours worked by medical directors to …
The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) CEO and President, Tracey Moorhead, took the stage at the AAPACN 2025 Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, to deliver the annual CEO address to a packed room of …
In a complex care environment where workforce development and regulatory demands are constantly evolving, National Health Care Associates is setting a new standard. With a sharp focus on equipping staff at every level with the …
Improving Care Through Increased Staffing Nursing home staffing has a significant impact on the quality of care that residents receive. Feedback from both nursing home staff and residents consistently highlights staffing as their primary concern. …
Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Vote Memo #QSO-24-21-NH Posting Date 2024-09-26 Fiscal Year 2024 Memorandum Summary• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is affirming the regulatory …
Overview of the Early Look Performance Score Report for the SNF VBP Program The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed and published the Overview of the Early Look Performance Score Report for the Skilled …
Dementia robs our loved ones of precious memories and their ability to communicate. My 82-year-old stepfather has Alzheimer’s disease and has had a steady decline. My 80-year-old mother, who is also a nurse, has been …
Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting; Correction SUMMARY: This document corrects typographical and technical errors in the final rule that appeared in …
This site includes access to a provider enrollment and certification roadmap: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/enroll-as-an-institutional-provider
https://www.cdc.gov/long-term-care-facilities/hcp/training/index.html AT A GLANCE ON THIS PAGE Course link: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/training_plan/3814 Training resources
AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Final rule and interpretation. SUMMARY: The Department …
The GCPG is a reference guide for the health care compliance community and other health care stakeholders. The GCPG provides information about relevant Federal laws, compliance program infrastructure, OIG resources, and other items useful for understanding health …
Memo # QSO-23-23-NHs Posting Date 2023-09-25 Fiscal Year 2023 Title Memorandum Summary CMS is committed to reinvesting civil money penalty (CMP) funds for projects to support the quality of care and life for nursing home …
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF), which opened its online doors in December 2022 thanks to a three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is …
In February 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at improving quality and safety for residents in nursing homes. One aspect of this initiative was conducting a new Nursing Home Staffing …
Effective August 21, 2023, MDS 3.0 Frequency data will be available from a new location on the data.cms.gov website (https://data.cms.gov/quality-of-care/minimum-data-set-frequency). This new website replaces the previous MDS 3.0 Frequency Report webpage which was decommissioned on …
Memo # QSO-23-18-NH Posting Date 2023-06-28 Fiscal Year 2023 Memorandum Summary • Posting Nursing Home Affiliation on Nursing Home Care Compare: CMS will include ownership and operatorship affiliation information on our Nursing Home Care Compare …
The National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC) has released a workbook for “assessing operational elements for special pathogen preparedness, response, and recovery unique to the long-term care setting.” The workbook is designed …
Written by Michael Daniels, RN, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA All one needs to do is peruse the long-term care (LTC)/skilled nursing facility (SNF) job openings online for a few minutes to realize that something is …
By Melanie Tribe-Scott, BSN, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory highlighting the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country (Office of the U.S. Surgeon …
Nurse leaders are essential to any long-term and post-acute care facility. These nurses fearlessly take responsibility for the success of their team and for quality resident care delivery. They spearhead the nursing department, overcoming obstacles …
Proposed Specifications for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program: Total Nursing Hours per Resident Day Measure (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/SNF-VBP/Measure
Jan 26, 2022 As part of its commitment to improve transparency and help families and caregivers find the best quality of nursing home care for their loved ones, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services …
This CISA Insights is intended to ensure that senior leaders at every organization in the United States are aware of critical cyber risks and take urgent, near-term steps to reduce the likelihood and impact of …
The last two weeks of data show steep increases in staff and resident COVID-19 cases, particularly staff cases: https://data.cms.gov/covid-19/covid-19-nursing-home-data
Case Marks First Charges Brought in District of South Carolina Related to Fraudulent Vaccine Cards Columbia, South Carolina — Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia returned …
These brief videos offer self-paced learning for those on the front lines of nursing home care. This includes nursing assistants, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff, and others. Emotional and Organizational Support for Staff Series This …
The magnitude of facility-initiated discharges in nursing homes remains unknown. Many challenges exist to identifying and addressing inappropriate facility-initiated discharges, including that neither Administration for Community Living (ACL) nor Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services …
Electronic access (PDF) to this book is free with IHI membership (also free). Leape LL. Making Healthcare Safe. Springer; 2021. Written by Lucian Leape, a pioneer of the patient safety movement, this book describes how patient safety became …
Improving Health Care Quality for LGBTQ People (Contact Hours 70 min.) Learn to identify sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) terminology to build trust with LGBTQ patients and recognize health disparities that impact many older LGBTQ adults. …
(OEI-02-20-00490) This data snapshot showed the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Medicare beneficiaries in U.S. nursing homes in 2020. It provides objective, standardized data based on Medicare claims for beneficiaries in nursing homes …
June 9, 2021 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is sharing the following alerts from the White House and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Organizations are encouraged …
