AAPACN Tools for the Director of Nursing Services

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 (DNSs) easily find what they need fast, AAPACN has put together the following list of …

CMS Will Take New Risk-Based Survey Approach Effective Sept. 8, 2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is introducing a more streamlined review process for higher-performing nursing homes as well as an easier way for consumers to discover them when searching the CMS website. Released today, the Quality, Safety, & Oversight (QSO) Memo outlines this risk-based survey (RBS) process that strategically …

CMS QSO Memo: PBJ Transition to iQIES Effective Aug. 17, 2026

Memo # QSO-26-12-NH Posting Date 2026-07-14 Fiscal Year 2026 Memorandum Summary • The Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system will transition into the Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) on August 17, 2026. • Beginning August 17, 2026, all PBJ staffing data must be submitted through iQIES. Reporting requirements and quarterly deadlines will not …

iQIES Manage User Information and Quick Start Checklist Job Aid v3.0

Overview This job aid answers questions on how to manage your HARP ID and iQIES user role and gives you a checklist on how to start working in iQIES. • You must have a HARP ID to access iQIES.  • All users must have a role in iQIES. iQIES Manage …

How to Address ‘I Can’t’ or ‘I Won’t’ When Staff Seem Resistant to Change

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. How to Address ‘I Can’t’ or ‘I Won’t’ When Staff Seem Resistant to Change Change is a constant in nursing home settings, says Alice Bonner, PhD, RN, FAAN, senior advisor for Aging at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement …

CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing transformational reforms to Medicare’s physician payment and value-based care programs that would expand accountable care, modernize physician payment, reduce administrative burden, and help shift the healthcare system’s focus from treating illness to preventing it. The proposals would make Medicare accountable …

REMINDER: Sept. 1 – 18: Submit Data for AHRQ Surveys on Patient Safety Culture Nursing Home Survey

Data submission for AHRQ’s Surveys on Patient Safety Culture® (SOPS®) Nursing Home Survey Database will open Sept. 1-18. Nursing homes that have administered the SOPS Nursing Home Survey (Version 2.0 or Version 1.0) between Nov. 1, 2024, and Sept. 18, 2026, may voluntarily submit their most recent results. Participating nursing homes …

OIG: NY Nursing Home Background Check Compliance

New York Should Improve Its Oversight of Nursing Homes’ Compliance With Background Check Requirements Issued on 07/01/2026 | Posted on 07/06/2026 | Report number: A-02-24-01012 Report Materials Why OIG Did This Audit What OIG Found New York did not ensure that 6 of the 10 selected nursing homes complied with Federal requirements that prohibit the employment …

SNFs Must Accurately Report Related Party Costs

From MLN Connects eNews In a report, the Office of Inspector General found that some skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) didn’t comply with Medicare requirements for reporting related party costs. These SNFs failed to report related parties on their Medicare Cost Reports or reported the costs inaccurately, resulting in overstated costs to …

What to Expect: PBJ Data Submission and Reporting in iQIES

On August 17, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) functionality for Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data submission and reports. Here’s what you need to know about the transition. Prepare Your iQIES Account You must register for PBJ roles in iQIES before you …