Assisted Living News 2026June26

Kierstin Reed • June 25, 2026

Don’t miss our next Assisted Living Survey Session

LeadingAge Nebraska will be hosting Survey Readiness 365: Staying Ahead of Assisted Living Deficiencies on June 30th. This session is free for members and we will be discussing common areas of deficiency in Assisted Living surveys. This session will provide tips and resources to make your next survey the best one possible! Registration is open now. 


Updates from DHHS Survey Department

As a recap of our provider/surveyor call on Wednesday, here are your highlights. 

Life Plan Community Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly LPC Weekly Recap.

By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
Would you like to meet with candidates?
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
PBJ System Transitioning to iQIES in August: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on June 12, that the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system will transition to internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on August 17, 2026. The PBJ system is the only system remaining in the previous QIES system while all other programs have transitioned to iQIES. iQIES is a secure, cloud-based system that CMS uses to collect and manage quality and compliance information. Effective on August 17, 2026, long-term care providers must submit all PBJ staffing data in iQIES. CMS will provide additional information before the launch through various email notifications regarding onboarding, training, details on what to expect, and more. Until then, please ensure that you complete the following (if you haven’t done so already): Create a HCQIS Access Roles and Profile System (HARP) account. Skip this step if you already have a HARP account. If you don’t have an account register here. Request access to iQIES – submit your request early so your access is ready before launch. Although you may request your PBJ role before August 17 (CMS strongly recommends you do so), PBJ functionality will not be available before August 17, 2026. Choose the correct PBJ role within iQIES – Provider Security Official (PSO) – Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. This role also approves user access. PBJ Submitter (Provider or Vendor): Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. Provider Administrator: View – only access and run PBJ reports. PBJ Viewer: View-only access and run PBJ reports. Additional information on roles can be found in the iQIES Onboarding Process – Provider User Roles Manual posted on the iQIES Reference and Manuals on the QTSO under iQIES Onboarding Guides. 4. Get approval from your facility’s PSO – Your access will not become active until they approve it. Each facility must have at least one PSO to manage access for additional users. Once you register for an iQIES account, be sure to log in regularly. If you don’t log in for 60 days, you’ll lose access to iQIES. Additional information on the iQIES Inactive User Policy can be found on QTSO. Vendors must request access for each facility they represent and get approval from a PSO at each facility, using the facility’s CMS Certification Number (CCN). Policy questions should be emailed to nhstaffing@cms.hhs.gov Technical questions: Contact the iQIES Service Center at 800.339.9313 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET (7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT) You may also request assistance via secure chat or schedule a call through CCSQ Support Central. Please note that Chat Support is currently limited to 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT Monday – Friday.
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change.
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
Proposed Rule Would Significantly Increase Cost of U.S. Citizenship
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
DHHS Hosts Quarterly Division Meeting for HCBS Providers
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
OIG Report Cites Concerns with Hospice Enrollment Eligibility Costing Medicare $255.1 Million
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
LeadingAge to Co-Host GRRP Webinar
By Kierstin Reed June 18, 2026
**Thank You for Attending!** LeadingAge RAD for PRAC Peer-Sharing and Policy Discussion.
By Kierstin Reed June 18, 2026
CMS Issues Final Rule on Accrediting Organizations.
By Kierstin Reed June 18, 2026
HHS OIG Focus: Duplicate VA and Medicaid Payments.
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