U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Jan 2, 2026: This action ensures that patients who rely on telemedicine — including seniors, rural residents, people with disabilities, and individuals receiving treatment for mental health conditions or substance use disorder — can continue accessing care without interruption.
Author: admin
EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK 2026: “NO PROVIDER CAN SUCCEED ALONE” IN CURRENT SNF ENVIRONMENT
Skilled Nursing News, Jan. 5, 2025: “The vulnerable populations we serve deserve safety, accountability and transparency. But today’s regulatory environment hasn’t delivered, and no one is satisfied with the results.”
LONG-TERM PHARMACY CRISIS COULD AFFECT 80% OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
Skilled Nursing News, Dec. 30, 2025: “We are witnessing the collapse of America’s long-term care pharmacy infrastructure in real time, led by small, independent [long-term care] pharmacies throughout the country…”
FOLLOWING PILOT, ALL MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS TO REPORT DENIALS, APPEALS DATA
McKnight’s LTC News, Dec. 18, 2025: The mandatory reporting would begin in 2027, but CMS is currently seeking insurance company volunteers to test a pilot starting in the second half of 2026.
CMS DELAYS START OF VALUE-BASED PURCHASING VALIDATION AUDITS
McKnight’s LTC News, Dec. 18, 2025: “This is a delay from the original timeline, which was previously set to begin this past fall…”
MEDICAID PAYS 82 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR. THAT HURTS THESE NURSING HOMES THE MOST.
McKnight’s LTC News, Dec. 11, 2025: New research adds to growing concerns about how Medicaid underpayments can undermine nursing home care…
CMS TO SUSPEND NURSING HOME MEDICARE REVALIDATION INDEFINITELY
Skilled Nursing News, Dec. 10, 2025: Associations including the American Health Care Association and National Centers for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have long asked for relief from the revalidation process, given the many difficulties faced during the process.
CMS SET TO SUSPEND NURSING HOME MEDICARE REVALIDATION PROCESS INDEFINITELY
McKnight’s LTC News, Dec. 9, 2025: This is the fourth postponement of a deadline for nursing home owners to provide newly expanded, complicated ownership and business relationship information.
REPEAL OF MINIMUM STAFFING RULE DOESN’T FIX SENIOR LIVING STAFFING ISSUES
McKnight’s Senior Living, Dec. 4, 2025: “Smart policies and sustained funding are essential to ensure adequate numbers of trained and qualified nurse aides, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other caregivers who serve older adults across the aging services continuum…”
HHS REPEALS NURSING HOME STAFFING RULE PROVISIONS
McKnight’s LTC, Dec. 2, 2025: The move follows months of legal and legislative challenges, which had already rendered hourly staffing and registered nurse requirements moot.