Nursing Home News 2026May14

HHS Takes Aim at De-prescribing

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a new initiative to curb “psychiatric overprescribing.” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced an action plan on May 4 aimed at preventing unnecessary initiation of psychiatric medications and supporting the tapering and discontinuation of medications for patients not experiencing clinical benefit. The plan includes three main pillars: education and outreach, program and policy, and research-to-practice initiatives. In a Dear Colleague letter also released on May 4, HHS encouraged providers to “prioritize informed consent and shared decision-making, and to regularly review the risks and benefits of psychiatric medications with patients.” HHS noted that the letter also highlighted non-pharmacological interventions and provided information on billing codes that could be used to support the delivery of evidence-based nonmedication treatments. While the HHS announcement referred several times to this initiative in relation to children and adolescents, it is worth taking note for nursing homes given the increased attention to psychotropic medications in recent years. Recall that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated guidance in November 2024 that re-classified unnecessary psychotropic medications as chemical restraints, while continuing efforts to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. As HHS pursues this agenda, it will be important for nursing homes to ensure they are continuing to follow requirements and best practices. Specifically, providers should pay attention to key areas of compliance such as informed consent, adequate clinical indications for use, and gradual dose reductions. Check out LeadingAge resources on psychotropic medications and preventing chemical restraints for assistance.

Building Momentum for Observation Stays Bill

LeadingAge continues advocacy on the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R. 3954). This bill would require all days spent in a hospital, regardless of inpatient or outpatient observation status, to count toward the three-day qualifying stay required for Medicare Part A coverage of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay. The House bill was originally introduced this congress by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Glen Thomspon (R-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Ron Estes (R-KS) and currently has 33 co-sponsors. We hope to see a companion bill in the Senate soon. LeadingAge will continue working with congressional offices to build support for this and the forthcoming Senate bill.

Here is your NATIONAL Nursing Home Weekly Recap