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CMS Updates for Complaint, Survey, Enforcement Processes; MDH Webinar
On March 12, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the State Operations Manual on January 30, 2026. The new changes are effective March 30, 2026. Updates were made to Chapter 5, which outlines complaint investigations and processes, and Chapter 7, which relates to the long-term care survey process.
Claims Data Is Changing the Story Behind Antipsychotic Use in SNFs
On February 19, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
For years, skilled nursing facilities have told their quality story primarily through the MDS. If it wasn’t coded on the assessment, it often didn’t exist in the eyes of CMS quality measures. That framework is now changing—decisively.
CMS Revises Special Focus Facility Program: Fall Prevalence Now a Key Selection Criterion
On February 19, 2026 by Kari Everson
On January 28, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued Quality, Safety, and Oversight memo QSO-26-01, revising the criteria used to select nursing homes for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program. This update carries meaningful implications for all member facilities, and we want to make sure you understand what changed and what steps you should be taking now.
HHS Issues Final Rule: Annual Inflation Adjustment to Civil Monetary Penalties
On January 29, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a final rule updating its civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts to reflect inflation, under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This change ensures that penalties retain their deterrent effect by adjusting them annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The SNF Validation Program: When Data Integrity Becomes a Measure of Trust
On January 29, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
For years, skilled nursing facilities (SNF) operated in a system where data submitted through the Minimum Data Set (MDS) was largely accepted at face value. Facilities reported, measures were calculated, and reimbursement and public reporting followed. That is ending.
Nursing Home Care Compare iQIES Transition Update
On January 15, 2026 by Julie Apold
CMS has recently moved nursing home survey and certification data into its new cloud-based system, iQIES (Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System). While this modernization is intended to improve data quality and reliability, the transition has resulted in data discrepancies that may be visible on Nursing Home Care Compare.
SNF Off-Cycle Revalidations Suspended Indefinitely
On December 11, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has indefinitely suspended the Skilled Nursing Facility Off-Cycle Revalidation required by January 1, 2026. It is important to note that only the January 1 (“off-cycle”) compliance date has been suspended.
CMS Repeals Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Standards
On December 4, 2025 by Mark Schulz
An interim final rule repealing the nursing home minimum staffing standards was released to the Federal Register on December 2. It is important to note that the interim final rule does not repeal the entire rule that was finalized in April 2024.
SNF Provider Preview Reports Updated and Ready for Review
On November 20, 2025 by Alecia Crumpler
Skilled nursing facilities can now access updated SNF Provider Preview Reports reflecting quality measure data that will be publicly reported in January 2026. Providers have until December 17, 2025, to review their data and request CMS corrections if needed.
Federal Review Slows 2026 Nursing Facility Rates: Guidance for Providers
On November 17, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota
The implementation of the 2025 legislative changes and the need for approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has delayed the publication of the January 1, 2026, nursing facility rate notices by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS is waiting to see what CMS does and does not approve.
DHS is waiting to issue rate notices until the end of November. At a minimum, the January 1, 2026 rate notices issued at the end of November will reflect the 2024 cost report, the PDPM transition and the operating rate caps, which do not require CMS approval.
According to DHS, the nursing facility minimum wage rate add-on and the increase to the nursing home surcharge cannot be implemented without approval from CMS. Therefore, these two 2025 legislative changes are not expected to be on the November rate notices.
In the meantime, if your minimum wage rate application is still under review by DHS, please make sure to continue working with the department to complete so that amount can be added to your facility’s rate when CMS approves the minimum wage funding.
It is not known when CMS will approve the minimum wage mandate and the corresponding rate add-on, and approval of the nursing home surcharge is still in question. The specific dates of implementation for the minimum wage rule and associated rate increase will be determined upon approval by CMS. At this point, members should assume that the minimum wage requirements and increased surcharge will likely not be implemented on Jan. 1 and do not need to plan to implement them until the effective date is known.
We’ve created talking points that providers may use with their residents and staff to communicate the implications of the CMS delay. To access these talking points, please click here.
LeadingAge MN Strengthens State’s Rural Health Transformation Application
On October 2, 2025 by Mark Schulz
LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comprehensive comments to strengthen the State of Minnesota’s application to CMS’ new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Our recommendations emphasize workforce solutions, improved access to care, and sustainable models for aging services in rural communities—ensuring older Minnesotans can continue to receive care close to home.
14th Edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations Available Now
On July 31, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The fourteenth edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for order.
CMS Updates PBJ Manual and FAQs
On July 7, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an update to payroll-based journal (PBJ) materials on the Staffing Data Submission Payroll Based Journal webpage. Updates to the PBJ Policy Manual include info for PBJ system registration through QIES and clarification that all reported nursing hours must be onsite hours. Updates to the PBJ Policy Manual FAQs reiterate the updates in the policy manual, and also include clarifications related to meal breaks, salaried staff, RN hours requirements and waivers, and questions pertaining to PBJ audits. Check out these updates in the PBJ Policy Manual and the PBJ Policy Manual FAQs located in the Downloads section of the PBJ page on the CMS website.
CMS Resumes “Associations Calls”
On May 29, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Nursing Homes has resumed regular calls with LeadingAge and other national stakeholder associations.
Federal Judge Blocks CMS Staffing Mandate
On April 10, 2025 by Ben Hansen
On April 7, 2025, U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk (TX) ruled in favor of the American Health Care Association, LeadingAge, and four nursing homes, finding that CMS exceeded its authority by imposing a federal minimum staffing mandate on nursing homes.
Upcoming CMS Surveyor Guidance and F-Tag Revisions: What Providers Need to Know
On February 6, 2025 by Kari Everson
Significant changes are coming for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). On March 24, 2025, new and revised surveyor guidance, including updated critical element pathways, will take effect.
CMS Unveils New Program Offering up to $50k Incentives for RNs in Nursing Homes
On January 9, 2025 by Anna Mowry
Yesterday, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News released a breaking story that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will offer nursing students up to $40,000 in tuition reimbursement and/or $10,000 outright to work for a nursing home or state survey agency.
DEED: Regulations and Demographics Converge to Create a Momentous Long-Term Care Workforce Challenge
On January 9, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) new article highlights the looming impact of federal minimum staffing regulations on Minnesota's nursing homes.
Updates To CMS Appendix PP: Revised Surveyor Guidance For Nursing Homes
On December 19, 2024 by Kari Everson
On Nov. 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-25-07-NH outlining updates to Appendix PP, including revised surveyor guidance and F-tag changes for nursing homes.
National Healthcare Safety Network Respiratory Illness Reporting Changes Starting Jan. 1
On December 19, 2024 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released finalized provisions for nursing home reporting through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).