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News related to "nursing homes"
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Risk-Based “Short” Survey Pilot Brings Shorter Review Option for Nursing Homes
On June 4, 2026 by Mark Schulz
CMS continues to test a risk-based survey process known as a “short survey” for select nursing homes that meet higher-quality indicators. The shorter survey approach is intended to focus survey resources while still protecting resident health and safety. The short survey still meets CMS requirements for the standard survey cycle.
What Providers Need to Know About Minnesota’s New Happy Hour Process
On June 4, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
Minnesota’s much-discussed “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” provision is now live, and it gives assisted living communities, nursing homes, and boarding care homes a clearer path to host resident-focused activities or events where alcohol may be served without obtaining a separate liquor license.
2026 Legislative Session Webinar Recording Now Available
On June 4, 2026 by Erin Huppert
Did you miss our 2026 Legislative webinar? Not to worry! This webinar is now available in our resource library and in our store.
MN Department of Revenue Seeks Provider Feedback on CRP Guidance
On May 28, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is currently reviewing its Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) guidance specific to health care facilities and is seeking provider input to help inform future guidance.
What CMS Is Signaling to Skilled Nursing Providers in the FY 2027 Proposed Rule
On May 28, 2026 by Kari Everson
The FY 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Proposed Rule is more than just another annual reimbursement update. While the headlines focus on a 2.4% payment increase, the deeper message from CMS is much more significant: the agency is preparing for tighter oversight, faster accountability, expanded reporting expectations, and increased scrutiny of MDS coding patterns across the skilled nursing industry.
Emergency Preparedness Training Series Underway
On May 7, 2026 by Mark Schulz
Yesterday (May 6) marked the launch of LeadingAge Minnesota’s new Emergency Preparedness Training Series for assisted living providers and nursing homes with the first webinar, Demystifying Preparedness: The Basics.
OIG Findings on Antipsychotic Use: Implications for Nursing Home Compliance
On April 30, 2026 by Kari Everson
In March 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released two reports examining how nursing homes administer antipsychotic medications to residents.
Malnutrition Coding on the MDS: Small Detail, Major Impact
On April 23, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Malnutrition is one of the most common—and most overlooked—clinical conditions in long-term care. While interdisciplinary teams are actively assessing, monitoring, and intervening, one critical step is often missed: accurate coding on the Minimum Data Set (MDS).
MDH Nursing Home Online Resources
On April 6, 2026 by Mark Schulz
As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) maintains several very useful and informative websites for nursing home providers.
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.
Federal ICE Enforcement Actions Increase in Minnesota
On December 4, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Federal enforcement activities in Minnesota have intensified following national directives expanding expedited removal and activating multi-agency Homeland Security task forces.
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.
Minnesota’s Paid Leave and NHWSB Minimum Wage: What You Need to Know
On November 20, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Following recent member discussions and questions about the upcoming Minnesota Paid Leave (MPL) law, we wanted to provide clarity about its relationship with the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB) established minimum wages and how those NHWSB minimum wages may not necessarily be the minimum wages required to be paid for MPL compliance.
Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program: Employers Focused FAQ
On November 6, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Following recent LeadingAge Minnesota member webinars on the upcoming Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (MPL) law, we received dozens of thoughtful and practical questions from providers.
Minnesota May Suspend Payments for 14 Medicaid Services: Here’s What You Need to Know
On November 6, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
On Oct. 28, the Walz Administration announced it would be using a new process for Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to review claims for certain Medicaid benefits and services before they are paid.