Nursing Home News 2026Feb06

Kierstin Reed • February 5, 2026

CMS Releases Improper Payment Data Pointing to SNF and Hospice Errors

On January 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a yearly report on Medicare Fee-for-Service Supplemental Improper Payment Data. The data found that both skilled nursing facilities and hospice providers were flagged as improper payment drivers. SNF had an overall improper payment of 15% with about $4.5 billion in improper payments, typically due to insufficient documentation. For hospices, roughly 6% of payments were improper totaling about $2 billion in improper payments with unsupported medical necessity driving the root cause analysis. Home health agencies totaled slightly less improper billing coming in with $1.1 billions in improper payments mostly due to insufficient documentation. Unsurprisingly, for home health and hospice improper payments, California had the highest improper payment rate at 12%. With the administration's heightened scrutiny on fraud, waste, and abuse providers should ensure they are following doubling down on documentation expectations. 

LeadingAge Submits Comments on Staffing Standard Repeal

LeadingAge submitted comments on January 31 on the interim final rule Repeal of Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities. The interim final rule was released in December and is the final chapter in the Minimum Staffing Standards initially proposed in 2023. The rule was finalized in 2024, struck down by federal courts in spring and summer 2025, and placed on a moratorium in the Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget. LeadingAge supported the repeal of this rule and provided suggestions for actions the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) could take to improve staffing by investing in the long-term care workforce. Suggestions addressed nurse aide training programs, CMS’s Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Read more here.

Here is your NATIONAL Nursing Home Weekly Recap
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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