AHCA / NCAL News
Keeping Up with Managed Care: Navigating Claims Denials and Early Termination
Recent Medicare Advantage (MA) rule changes have introduced critical tools to help skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) better manage claims denials and early termination of services. The Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Final Rule brought ... Read MoreManaging Managed Care Risks: Strategies for Navigating Shorter Stays and Early Discharges
As managed care continues to expand, providers in skilled nursing and post-acute settings face growing pressure to deliver high-quality care within increasingly compressed timeframes. Shortened lengths of stay, early discharges, and tighter reimbursement structures can ... Read MoreSNF VBP Essentials
Four additional CMS skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing (SNF VBP) measures took effect October 1, 2024 and will determine Medicare Part A rates beginning October 1, 2026. These measures are in addition to the four measures already in place that impacted rates as of October 1, 2025 ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL Silver Quality Award Winners Announced Next Week
The countdown is officially on! We are just one week away from one of the most exciting milestones of the year. On July 9, AHCA/NCAL will officially announce the 2026 Silver National Quality Award winners! This incredible honor recognizes skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities that have shown an outstanding dedication to continuous quality improvement and rigorous performance standards ... Read MoreBehavioral Health Training Opportunity
As a NYSHFA member, you have access to discounted and/or FREE on-demand educational from AHCA on myriad topics, including two behavioral health training opportunities ... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities - Quality Improvement
Below are four training opportunities related to quality improvement that AHCA|NCAL is offering to members. Please take the time to review these very beneficial programs… Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Emergency Preparedness & Life Safety
The following regulatory training opportunities are offered via AHCA/NCAL and are open to all NYSHFA | NYSCAL members at a discounted rate ... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Behavioral Health and Dementia Care
Below are training opportunities through AHCA regarding Behavioral Health: Regulatory Overview and Behavioral Health Services ... Read MoreAHCA - Update on Termination of TPS for Haiti
Please see the below update on TPS for Haiti from the Department of Homeland Security. The work permits for these individuals are still valid and until decided otherwise because of ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL’s Leadership Academy
AHCA|NCAL’s 2026 Leadership Academy registration deadline is March 12th as the first meeting is on March 16th. This program is designed for leaders at all levels in your buildings or organization to build better ... Read MoreAHCA|NCAL: CMS Updates SNF Provider Enrollment and Revalidation Guidance
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently posted three important updates to its SNF Provider Enrollment Guidance and FAQ document... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Quality Improvement
Below are training opportunities through AHCA regarding Quality Improvement ... Read MoreAHCA Releases New Resource For Long-Stay Antipsychotic Measure
AHCA is excited to announce the release of a new resource addressing the revised long-stay antipsychotic medication measure. The goal of this resource is to ... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Emergency Preparedness & Life Safety
Below are training opportunities through AHCA regarding Emergency Preparedness and Life Safety issues ... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Regulatory
Below are training opportunities through AHCA regarding regulatory issues ... Read MoreAHCA Training Opportunities – Regulatory
Below are training opportunities through AHCA regarding regulatory issues ... Read MoreAHCA: Train Your Staff and Caregivers To Become Feeding Assistants
AHCA's 2026 edition of the How to Be a Feeding Assistant Training Manual has been updated with the latest American Heart Association guidance to help providers ensure safe, compliant, and dignified assisted dining. See ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreCapitol Connection: CDC Adopts Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA: Online CNA Training through Academic Platforms in partnership with AHCA
Solve your clinical workforce challenge with our hybrid online course featuring AHCA’s renowned curriculum, How to Be a Nurse Assistant, led by an RN instructor at the best price ever! See attached brochure for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL Names New Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Liz Burns
Today, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 15,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities that provide care to approximately five million people each year, announced that Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Burns, MD, has been named the association's chief medical officer ... Read MorePat DeBenedictis – AHCA Board Candidacy
It is our privilege to announce that NYSHFA Board Vice Chair Pat DeBenedictis is running for election to the Regional Multifacility Representative board position on the AHCA Board of Governors. The election is contested and will take place on October 21st and 22nd during ... Read MoreAHCA: SNF VBP Essentials Training
Administrators, DONs, finance, QAPI, and operations leaders who take this training will learn about the eight measures and understand how they impact future reimbursement rates ... Read MoreNow Available – AHCA Summary of FY26 SNF Final Payment Rule - AHCA To Host Member Webinar on Thursday
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2026. AHCA has reviewed the final rule and developed a ... Read MoreAHCA: CMS Issues FY 2026 SNF Final Payment Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2026. We’re pleased to report that rates will increase by 3.2%, or approximately $1.16 billion, beginning October 1, 2025. This is a slight increase in the final net update as compared to the proposed rule, which was 2.8%. The 3.2% increase is based on:- A 3.3% market basket increase
- Plus, a 0.6% market basket forecast error adjustment, and
- A negative 0.7% productivity adjustment.
- CMS finalized removing four items previously adopted as standardized patient assessment data elements under the social determinants of health category beginning with the FY 2027 SNF QRP:
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- one item for Living Situation (R0310),
- two items for Food (R0320A and R0320B), and
- one item for Utilities (R0330) beginning with residents admitted on or after October 1, 2025, as previously finalized.
- CMS did not change any quality measures.
- CMS also finalized amending the SNF QRP reconsideration policy and process. CMS will allow SNFs to request an extension to file a request for reconsideration and is updating the bases on which CMS can grant a reconsideration request.
- CMS set final performance standards for the FY 2028 and FY 2029 program years to comply with the Program’s statutory notice deadline.
- CMS removed the SNF VBP Health Equity Adjustment that was set to begin in the FY 2027 program year.
- CMS adopted a reconsideration process that will allow SNFs to seek reconsideration of a review and correction request if they are not satisfied with CMS’s decision on that request, beginning with the FY 2027 program year.
AHCA Education: Infection Preventionist (IPCO)
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long-term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities ... Read MoreAHCA: QAPI Certified Professional
ahcancalED offers members the opportunity to become a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Certified Professional (QCP) at a discounted price through a partnership with ... Read MoreAHCA: Facility Assessments Webinar
Facility assessments are mentioned more than 100 times in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual (SOM) and F838 – Facility Assessment – specifically outlines ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Building Trust in LTC
Through a grant from the CDC, AHCA/NCAL has developed a new free training titled is equipping leaders with trust building skills and practices through Building Trust: A Strategy to Improve Patient Safety, Staff Wellbeing & Vaccine Uptake in Long Term Care ... Read MoreAccidents – How to Stay Ahead of F689 and Keep Your Residents Safe
F689—Accidents remains one of the top three citations and CMS regulations require that nursing facilities be as free of accident hazards as possible. AHCA offers this affordable one-hour training that reviews ... Read MoreAHCA Education: Infection Preventionist (IPCO)
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long-term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities ... Read MoreOSHA’s Respiratory Protection Plan: Training & Toolkit Subscription
All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and ID/DD centers are required by OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program when ... Read MoreOSHA’s Respiratory Protection Plan: Training & Toolkit Subscription
All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and ID/DD centers are required by OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program when ... Read MoreAHCA Education: Infection Preventionist (IPCO)
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long-term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities ... Read MoreAHCA Education: Infection Preventionist (IPCO)
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long-term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities ... Read MoreAHCA: The Five-Star Quality Rating System
The Five-Star Quality Rating System is comprehensive training for nursing facility administrators and nurse leaders. This education program reviews the methodology for the overall Five-Star Quality Rating System, along with ... Read MoreAHCA Education: Infection Preventionist (IPCO)
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long-term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities ... Read MoreAHCA: MDS Training for the Interdisciplinary Team
Learning the Minimum Data Set – Training for the Interdisciplinary Team is a boot camp training for every team member who is involved in the nursing facility resident assessment process. This training helps ... Read MoreAHCA: Train your Staff and Caregivers to Become Skilled Feeding Assistants
This easy-to-read manual is designed to train feeding assistants in long term care and assisted living settings. See link below for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Warm Up for the New Year - All books 15% Off
At AHCA Publications, they provide resources that support the success and growth of long term care and assisted living professionals. Please see the attached for more details ... Read MoreAHCA Webinar – Vaccinations
During this webinar, Encouraging Vaccinations This Season – So You and Your Residents Can Risk Less and Do More, federal officials from HHS and subject matter experts from AHCA/NCAL will highlight new resources for nursing home and assisted living providers to ... Read MoreAHCA Webinar – Vaccinations
During this webinar, Encouraging Vaccinations This Season – So You and Your Residents Can Risk Less and Do More, federal officials from HHS and subject matter experts from AHCA/NCAL will highlight new resources for nursing home and assisted living providers to ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL Building Trust Leadership Academy is back for another Year!
AHCA/NCAL are excited to announce the return of the AHCA/NCAL Building Trust Leadership Academy! If you want to learn how to build trust among staff and leaders in your organization, you will not want to miss out ... Read MoreAHCA Webinar – Vaccinations
During this webinar, Encouraging Vaccinations This Season – So You and Your Residents Can Risk Less and Do More, federal officials from HHS and subject matter experts from AHCA/NCAL will highlight new resources for nursing home and assisted living providers to ... Read MoreAHCA Quality Awards
We would like to share that the 2025 Quality Award Portal and Intent to Apply process are now open... Read MoreAHCA Quality Awards
We would like to share that the 2025 Quality Award Portal and Intent to Apply process are now open... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL Webinar: HUD's 232 Program Updates
AHCA/NCAL is holding a webinar with HUD officials on Sept 17th at 2pm ET... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: You Deserve and Upgrade
Upgrade your AHCA/NCAL Convention registration to the Premium Package for exclusive access to recorded education sessions. See attached for details ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreSave the Date for Congressional Briefing - June 9-10, 2025
Save the date for Congressional Briefing in Washington, DC on June 9 – 10, 2025. Experience the power of advocacy firsthand at Congressional Briefing! See the attached flyer ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: A Mid-Year Update from Mark Parkinson
The first half of 2024 has flown by, and a lot of good things have happened. But we still have some work to do. See attached for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: A Mid-Year Update from Mark Parkinson
The first half of 2024 has flown by, and a lot of good things have happened. But we still have some work to do. See attached for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL to Host LTC Workforce Webinar Series
AHCA/NCAL will hold a webinar series focused on workforce-related matters impacting long term care (LTC) providers across the country. This series will focus on issues including ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA: Survey Preparation for the New Facilities Manager- Archived Webinar
Healthcare is a heavily regulated industry. For nursing homes in particular, the requirements are complicated, and the inspection process is unique. Managing life safety compliance can be ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL Annual Convention & Expo: Real World Solutions for Long Term Care
Please see the attached and explore more than 80 sessions featuring insights from 130+ speakers ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Convention & Expo – NCAL Day
Join AHCA/NCAL for NCAL Day as Jerald Cosey headlines with a powerful keynote on aligning professional purpose and skill development to advance healthcare. See attached for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence
Dive into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Please see the attached for more information ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Upcoming Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) Webinars with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Do you or your staff have questions about Enhanced Barrier Precautions? Save the dates for two upcoming webinars with the CDC! These webinars are designed for anyone involved with or working in long-term care facilities who ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL – Attend Congressional Briefing in Washington DC on June 3 & 4, 2024!
You don’t want to miss the informative and valuable events happening at this year’s Congressional Briefing, taking place on June 3-4, 2024 ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA: Survey Tips to Maintain Compliance
The AHCA regulatory team has developed survey tips to assist in maintaining compliance with skilled regulations, as well as preparing for surveys. The AHCA team will ... Read MoreAHCA Releases Payroll-Based Journal Best Practices Webinar
AHCA recently released a webinar on best practices for submitting data to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ). Speakers during this webinar include members of the AHCA Workforce committee ... Read MoreAHCA - Survey, Regulatory & Legal
Every skilled nursing center certified to provide care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries must comply with the Federal Requirements of Participation. These requirements are contained in the Federal Regulations for Nursing Facilities, which also ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: A Message from Mark Parkinson - Ending Last Week on a Positive Note
After a tough week with the staffing mandate, I want to send you a video that ended last week on a high note. Our friends at Direct Supply put together this brilliant video and I encourage you to watch. If you enjoy it as much as I did, please send on to your teams ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: White House Announces Release of Final Minimum Staffing Rule; Register for Member Webinar Tomorrow
This morning, the White House announced the release of the minimum staffing requirements at the end of today. The final rule staffing standards are different than the proposed rule and are unfortunately worse. AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar tomorrow, April 23 at 1 PM Eastern to discuss the final rule. During this members-only briefing ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL's Mark Parkinson Honored with LTPAC Lifetime Impact Award
The accolades continue for AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson, who yesterday received the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) LTPAC Lifetime Impact Award... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: CMS Enhances MA Beneficiary Protections
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule, which finalized revisions to policies governing Medicare Advantage (MA), Part D, Medicare Cost Plans, and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read More2024 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Now Open!
Nominations for the 2024 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program are now open! AHCA/NCAL members are strongly encouraged to nominate those inspiring leaders and unsung colleagues who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL’s Quality Summit
Join us at AHCA/NCAL's Quality Summit to uncover cutting-edge ideas and strategies that align with the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. Explore our robust agenda and customize your experience with convenient color-coded icons ... Read MoreA Long Term Care Update from AHCA/NCAL
Please see the attached publication, Capitol Connection, from AHCA/NCAL ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Don't miss ABC News Chief Correspondent Jonathan Karl
Join AHCA/NCAL at Congressional Briefing and gain exclusive insights from Jonathan Karl, ABC News Chief Correspondent and Co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. See attached for details ... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: CMS Implements Enhanced Barrier Precautions Effective April 1, 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued QSO-24-08-NH yesterday regarding the implementation of enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs) in nursing homes to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL's PHM Summit - Streamlined to Meet Your Needs
Ready to embark on two inspiring days at the Population Health Management (PHM) Summit?... Read MoreAHCA/NCAL: Happy Birthday, Provider!
Happy Birthday, Provider! Provider Magazine Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence and Innovation ...
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