The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases the Five-Star Provider Preview Report before updated ratings are posted publicly on Care Compare. As a best practice, facilities should assign a team member to review the report as soon as it becomes available in the iQIES Provider Preview Reports folder. …
The Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system will move into iQIES on Aug. 17, 2026. Moving PBJ into iQIES is part of ongoing work to modernize systems and improve security. Starting Aug. 17, facilities must submit all PBJ staffing data in iQIES. Reporting requirements and quarterly deadlines will not change. Visit the QIES Technical Support Office webpage for more information. This AAPACN …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its Skilled Nursing Facility 3-Day Rule Billing MLN booklet. While the basic qualifying stay requirements remain the same, the revised guidance includes an important update for facilities participating in certain Medicare payment models, such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a one-page resource to help providers determine when an OBRA Discharge assessment is required under the MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual. The fact sheet outlines key discharge criteria, including hospital admissions, observation stays greater than 24 hours, and discharges to …
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) updated its Clinical Guidance for C. diff Infection Prevention in Acute Care Facilities on May 13, 2026. The guidance emphasizes rapid isolation and contact precautions for residents with suspected or confirmed C. diff infection (CDI), including the use of dedicated equipment and …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) previously announced in March that the updated Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, was now available, but extended implementation to no later than May 12, 2026. While providers could continue using the previous version through May 11, 2026, facilities should …
The deadline to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data in the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system is May 18, 2026. This reporting is required for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and covers the period October 1, 2025, through March 31, …
The deadline to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data in the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system is May 18, 2026. This reporting is required for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) and covers the period Oct.1, 2025, through …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule. Stakeholders have until June 1, 2026, to submit comments on the proposals. The following is a high-level overview of the proposed changes. CMS proposed to: Additional details can be found on …
The Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) has developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide to help healthcare facilities prepare for and respond to severe weather events, including tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms, hail, and late-season winter storms. This guide highlights key operational risks such as supply chain disruptions, utility outages, staffing shortages, and …
