News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
Updated SNF ABN Now Available, Mandatory for Use Starting Oct. 31
On October 3, 2024 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated Form CMS-10055 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Advance Beneficiary Notice of non-coverage (ABN).
Deadlines Approaching: Funding for Solar in HUD Housing
On October 3, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
The Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Treasury, promotes cost-saving solar or wind investments in low-income communities as part of affordable housing developments, and for projects that benefit low-income households.
Hoarding Disorders the Topic of New Senate Committee on Aging Report
On October 3, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging recently released a report entitled, The Consequences of Clutter: How Hoarding Disorder Affects America’s Older Adults, First Responders, and Their Communities.
HUD Delays Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act Compliance Requirements
On September 26, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
Last Friday, September 20, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a six-month delay to compliance requirements for the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA).
LeadingAge Seeks to Eliminate Negative Impacts of MA Flex Cards on Beneficiaries
On September 12, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
As enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans increases steadily (now 54% of Medicare beneficiaries), many older adults are selecting MA or Special Needs Plans (SNPs) offering special supplemental benefits (SSBs) in the form of flexible benefit cards (“flex cards”).
HUD Silent as HOTMA Deadline Looms
On September 12, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
As the deadline for compliance with the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) looms, LeadingAge continues to call on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for guidance.
HUD Posts New Contract Forms; HOTMA Forms Forthcoming
On September 5, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs has completed the update of a series of forms required for Multifamily Section 8 Programs.
HUD Posts NSPIRE Appeals Guidance
On August 29, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made appeals guidance available for its NSPIRE housing inspection protocol on August 19.
Recording Available: Webinar on “Serious Mental Illness” in Affordable Housing
On August 22, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) center for homeless and housing resources sponsored a webinar on August 7 titled “Public Housing and Serious Mental: Practical Recommendations for Housing Providers.” The recording is now available.
CMS Updates Appendix PP for New Facility Assessment
On August 15, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has updated the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP, to reflect the previously released advance copy information for the revised facility assessment requirements found in the Quality, Safety and Oversight memoranda, QSO-24-13-NH.
Kari Thurlow Quoted in McKnight’s Senior Living Article on Walz’s VP Candidacy
On August 8, 2024 by Ben Hansen
Kari Thurlow, LeadingAge Minnesota CEO, provided a statement to McKnight’s Senior Living in an article covering Walz’s selection as Kamala Harris’s running mate.
CMS Finalizes PPS Rate Rule for Year Starting October 1
On August 1, 2024 by Jeff Bostic
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final Medicare payment rule for SNFs for the year that begins Oct. 1.
CMS Panel Recommends New Measures for Post-Acute and Hospice Providers
On July 18, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Technical Expert Panel (TEP) report on the development of additional cross-setting measures for the post-acute care (PAC) (including home health and skilled nursing) and Hospice quality reporting programs (QRP), and filling measurement gaps with CMS’ Universal Foundation measures on July 8. This report summarizes input provided by a TEP on December 15, 2023.
Hospice CARE Act of 2024 – LeadingAge Gathering Member Feedback
On June 20, 2024 by Mark Schulz
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released a discussion draft about hospice reform on June 13 titled, “The Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (CARE) Act of 2024.” The Hospice CARE Act is in draft form but would transform and make the biggest changes to the Medicare Hospice Benefit since the benefit’s inception in 1982.
LeadingAge Weighs in on HUD Efforts to Reduce Barriers to Housing Access
On June 13, 2024 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge supports HUD’s efforts to expand housing access in practical, consistent ways.
Expand housing access in practical, consistent ways, LeadingAge told the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in a June 10 comment letter.
Health Care Workforce Survey: Value of Non-Salary Benefits in Overall Compensation
On May 30, 2024 by LeadingAge
Findings in a May 2024 report from the TIAA Institute, a division of insurance and annuities provider TIAA, reveals the values and priorities of health care sector workers and also emphasizes the importance of understanding benefits as part of an overall compensation package and the needs of various worker demographics.
iQIES to Implement Inactive User Policy This Month
On May 23, 2024 by Kari Everson
To comply with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) security policies, the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) is implementing their policy this month to deactivate user roles for inactive accounts. This measure will help ensure the safety and security of our system.
Senators Seek Bold Housing Funding
On May 16, 2024 by LeadingAge
On May 10, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) led a letter to Senate Appropriations HUD Subcommittee Chair Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ranking Member Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) urging strong funding in fiscal year 2025 for affordable housing programs serving older adults and persons with disabilities.
Minimum Staffing Rule PowerPoint Presentation for Board of Directors
On May 9, 2024 by Mark Schulz
A new resource is available to LeadingAge Minnesota members for use with their Board of Directors describing the staffing mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and includes strategic questions for their discussion.
DOL Publishes Overtime Final Rule – Effective July 1, 2024
On April 25, 2024 by Mark Schulz
On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced a final overtime rule which will take effect on July 1, 2024, with updates starting on January 1, 2025.