News
News related to "cms"
Choose an article below to learn more about this topic.
CMS Clarifies Limited Survey Functions During Federal Shutdown
On October 23, 2025 by Mark Schulz
As the federal government shutdown stretches beyond three weeks, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has clarified which survey and certification activities may continue — and which must halt — during the funding lapse. The updated guidance from CMS’s Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) underscores the limited scope of oversight allowed, raising concern among nursing home providers about enforcement delays and regulatory uncertainty.
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.
Federal Government Shutdown: What Aging Services Providers Need to Know
On October 2, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Congress did not reach agreement on appropriations for federal fiscal year 2026, and the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. HHS, CMS, and CDC have issued contingency and lapse plans outlining which activities will continue and which will pause. HUD has notified LeadingAge that they will be updating their contingency plan, leaning heavily on plans written in 2023.
Case Closed: Court Dismisses CMS Staffing Rule Appeal
On September 25, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its motion to dismiss their appeal for our lawsuit challenging the CMS Minimum Staffing Rule.
Case Closed: DOJ Moves to Dismiss CMS Staffing Rule Appeal
On September 18, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On September 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) notified our plaintiff attorneys that it intends to dismiss its appeal in the CMS Staffing Rule challenge. Plaintiff attorneys consented to this action, and the government’s filing and subsequent court order of dismissal are expected in the near future. This marks a major victory and is the direct result of your dedication, advocacy, and hard work—congratulations!
National Resources for Home Health Advocacy
On July 31, 2025 by Erin Huppert
CMS is proposing a steep 9% cut to the Medicare Fee for Service (FFS) payment rates for home health services. Our partners at LeadingAge have been analyzing the 2026 Home Health Payment System Rate Update, and when combined with the 8.8% payment reductions the agency has imposed since CY2023, the impact will be significant to all providers of home health care.
CMS Clarifies: Residents May Not Refuse Enhanced Barrier Precautions
On July 31, 2025 by Kari Everson
On July 30, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) informed LeadingAge Minnesota that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has once again clarified its position regarding resident rights and Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP).
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 Revalidation Deadline Extended to Jan. 1, 2026
On July 17, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the deadline for off-cycle Medicare provider revalidation to Jan. 1, 2026 — a significant shift from the previously announced Aug. 1, 2025 deadline. This marks the third postponement of the requirement.
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.
Upcoming PBJ Submission Deadline and iQIES Service Center Availability
On July 3, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On July 14, 2025, the Nursing Home Survey & Certification functionality will launch in iQIES—just one month prior to the PBJ submission deadline. This rollout is expected to result in a substantial influx of new users, potentially leading to longer hold times.
CMS Announces Changes to Nursing Home Care Compare
On June 26, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On June 18, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released memo QSO-25-20-NH, announcing several impactful changes to the Nursing Home Care Compare website, set to take effect with the July and October 2025 quarterly data refreshes. These updates are part of CMS’s continuing efforts to enhance transparency and improve the accuracy and utility of performance data for nursing home providers, residents, and families.
CMS Issues Fraudulent Fax Alert: What Medicare Providers Need to Know
On June 26, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a formal alert warning Medicare providers of a new phishing scheme involving fraudulent fax requests. Scammers are impersonating CMS and sending deceptive faxes that request medical records and documentation under the guise of an audit. These communications are crafted to appear official and can easily mislead busy healthcare providers into disclosing sensitive patient or organizational information.
CMS to Accelerate Public Release of Survey Findings for All Certified Providers
On June 26, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On June 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued memo QSO-25-19-ALL, introducing a significant shift in how and when survey findings are publicly released for all CMS-certified providers and suppliers, including nursing homes. Under the updated policy, survey results recorded on Form CMS-2567 will be made available to the public within 14 calendar days of receipt by the provider—and, in many cases, immediately upon receipt.
Nelson Care Center by Vivie Earns Prestigious CMC 5-Star Rating
On June 12, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Nelson Care Center by Vivie is proud to announce it has been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), following its most recent survey in March. This top-tier rating reflects the organization’s commitment to delivering exceptional care and support to the people it serves.
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.
Nursing Homes Must Now Submit Off-cycle Revalidations by Aug. 1
On April 17, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Nursing homes must now submit off-cycle revalidations by August 1. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enacted a final rule in November 2023 implementing portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which added a section to the Social Security Act related to ownership, management, and related parties.
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.
Litigation Update – State Association CMS Minimum Staffing Lawsuit
On January 16, 2025 by Mark Schulz
On Dec. 5, 2024, Judge Leonard Strand, who is presiding over the lawsuit filed by LeadingAge Minnesota and other LeadingAge state affiliates and state Attorneys General to challenge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Minimum Staffing Rule, held a hearing on our motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the rule’s enforcement and implementation.