Hospice & Home Health News 2026Jan22

Kierstin Reed • January 22, 2026

CMS Hosting LEAD Model Webinar January 29

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, January 29 at 2:00 PM ET about the Long-term Enhancing ACO Design Model. This webinar will cover the model goals, participation options, eligibility and payment methodology as well as more information on the application process, timeline, and resources. This new 10-year, voluntary model builds upon existing and previous models while testing some first-time features related to provider payments, integration, and beneficiary enhancements. Like ACO REACH, it also includes a focus on high-risk populations but creates new incentives through new beneficiary enhancements and payment mechanisms. It is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, as the ACO REACH comes to an end on December 31, 2026. Register here to attend.

Home Health January 2026 Care Compare Refresh Now Live

The January 2026 refresh of the Home Health Quality Reporting Program is now available on the Compare Tool on Medicare.gov and Provider Data Catalog (PDC). The data are based on quality assessment data submitted by Home Health Agencies (HHAs) to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from Quarter 2, 2024 through Quarter 1, 2025. The data for the claims-based measures will display data from Quarter 1, 2023 through Quarter 4, 2024 for the Discharge to Community and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary measures, Quarter 1, 2022 through Quarter 4, 2024 for the Potentially Preventable 30-Day Post-Discharge Readmission measure, and Quarter 1, 2024 through Quarter 4, 2024 for the Home Health Within-Stay Potentially Preventable Hospitalization measure. Additionally, the data for the HHCAHPS measures will display data from Quarter 3, 2024 through Quarter 2, 2025. The January 2026 refresh includes one new OASIS-based measure, COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients Who Are Up to Date. This is the first and only quarter the OASIS-based COVID measure data will be shared.

CMS Releases CY2024 HHVBP Performance Data

On January 14, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released performance data on the Expanded Home Health Value Based Purchasing model for performance year 2024. This data includes national averages of call measure used to calculate performance scores as well as data on each individual participating home health organization, including their annual payment percentage adjustments for CY2026 payments. LeadingAge will be working to analyze this data for members to determine the effectiveness of the program as well as its impact on non-profit providers.

Here is your weekly  Home Health Weekly Recap from National.

Here is your weekly  Hospice Weekly Recap from National.

By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Senators Challenge CMS Voting Guidance for Nursing Homes.
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
New MDS Training from CMS: Section K Assessment and Coding Essentials. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training that provides an overview of Section K of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The course reviews the purpose, assessment steps, coding instructions, coding tips, key definitions, and calculation methods for accurately assessing and coding Section K items. This training can be accessed through the SNF QRP Training webpage.
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
There are no new Assisted Living updates to share this week. Please check back next week for the latest news and information. Here is your Life Plan Community Weekly Recap .
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Temporary Protected Status for El Salvado Ends September 9, 2026: Employment authorization for eligible Salvadoran TPS holders will end September 9th per USCIS, absent new litigation or a redesignation. USCIS has automatically extended certain expired TPS-based employment authorization documents through that date and issued related Form I-9 records, and prepare for timely reverification and potential workforce disruptions. For details see the full article here . New Guidance from IRS on No Tax on Overtime. Last week, the Internal revenue Service issued updated FAQs on the No Tax on Overtime provision under HR 1, which added a new tax deduction for qualified overtime compensation. The deduction allows individuals to deduct up to $12,500 of qualified overtime pay annually ($25,000 in the case of a joint return) but may be reduced if a taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Developed in coordination with the Department of Labor and Office of Personnel Management, the updated FAQs replace previous FAQs issued in January 2026 and provide more extensive guidance on overtime eligibility and exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, reporting qualified overtime compensation, and federal income tax withholdings from wages. The FAQs also include a guidance for employers on calculating qualified overtime compensation to be paid to an employee for purposes of the deduction. This includes instructions for alternative methods of computation are used to compute overtime, which may apply to employees of certain residential care facilities. Here is your weekly Workforce Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Home Care Network: Tuesday August 18th at 2 EST
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
Final HHVBP July 2026 IPR's Published
By Kierstin Reed August 20, 2026
UPDATE: Proposed Rule Rolling Back Community Reinvestment Act Obligations Published. As we reported last week, a multi-agency proposed rule seeks to roll back the Community Reinvestment Act and could weaken investment in affordable housing and community development. This proposed rule has now been published in the Federal Register on August 12 kicking off a 60-day comment period that will end on October 13, 2026. The full article can be read here .
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
LeadingAge Webinar on Tenant Compliance Must-Dos for Affordable Senior Housing, August 19, 2-3:15 p.m. ET. Join the LeadingAge housing community for a webinar by compliance expert Jenny DeSilva, who will review unique rules and requirements for HUD-assisted senior housing communities. Participants will receive practical guidance to stay prepared for HUD oversight while supporting older adults as they age in community. Register here . Affordable housing Weekly Recap . Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed August 13, 2026
CMS Releases Home Health Agency PEPPER Reports
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