HCBS News 2026June26

Kierstin Reed • June 25, 2026

DHHS Hosts Quarterly Division Meeting for HCBS Providers

DHHS held the quarterly meeting for HCBS providers on the five waiver programs under DHHS on June 23rd. Slides from this meeting will be posted on the website soon. Here are a few highlights from the meeting: 

  • Name change for the Division will take place on July 1, 2026. The official new name is Division of Disability and Aging. Assisted Living Services on the Medicaid Waiver are now referred to as “Supported Residential Living”. 
  • Reminder: All AD/TBI waiver providers must have training in CPR, First Aid and Abuse, neglect and exploitation reporting requirements and prevention. Full compliance is expected within 60 days of implementation (July 1). Providers should keep records for employee certifications in their HR file. 
  • AD/TBI waiver providers will be receiving a HCBS Provider Policy Manual soon—this document will provide detailed information on aspects and requirements of service providers
  • There are changes coming on July 1st to the HCBS Fee Schedule. These will be posted on the website. 
  • Flat rates are being established for adult day health, chore, respite, LRI Personal Care, and Independence Skills Building. These rates supersede rates set on the MC-190. Personal care rates are not being impacted at this time
  • The cap on annual budgets begins July 1, 2026. Waiver services that exceed 150% ($138,657) of the average nursing facility. Beyond this, the service coordinator must submit a request for exception to the DDA clinical team.
  • Importance of program integrity- billed services must match what is authorized and delivered. Pre-authorization and post claim reviews are being completed to ensure integrity.
  • National Core Indicators results are now complete

New E-Report Finds Rural Family Caregivers Holding the Health System Together

A new e-report from LeadingAge member Lutheran Services in America, Rooted in Care: Transforming the Future for Rural Family Caregivers, highlights the essential role that rural family caregivers play in supporting older adults. This report draws upon insights from residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota as well as national data from Caregiving in the U.S. Nationally, one in five caregivers live in a rural community and are experiencing the erosion of the local care infrastructure. The report discusses four key challenges facing family caregivers in rural communities. Addressing Emotional & Physical Toll: Rural caregiving is intense and sustained wherein the report highlights practical pathways to bolster respite options and train family caregivers. Expand Access to Services & Infrastructure: Rural caregivers consistently face access challenges to affordable services and supports including in-home health assistance, limited broadband that restricts telehealth, and declining access to clinics and hospitals wherein the report outlines opportunities to align policies with the reality of rural infrastructure. Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs & Strengthening Supports: Caregiving places a significant financial strain on families wherein the report shares several opportunities to reduce financial burden on family caregivers through various pathways put forth in the report. Building & Sustaining a Rural Care Workforce: Rural communities are facing a deepening workforce crisis where the report discusses home care workforce challenges — including worker shortages, inadequate training, and low wages — that were identified as a top priority for action. The report concludes by highlighting policy opportunities at both the federal and state level.

By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
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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
Don’t miss our next Assisted Living Survey Session
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
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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