CMS has begun notifying SNFs that they have been selected to participate in the data validation process. The first notification letters were issued through iQIES on Jan. 12^th to a portion of the 1,500 SNFs that will be selected throughout the year.

DOH provides status updates on outstanding funding issues, promises additional detail regarding payments set to be released next week.

Nursing homes should view recent press coverage on antipsychotic use as part of an ongoing public discussion, not as confirmation of imminent policy change. LeadingAge will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates if and when CMS signals concrete action.

The CDC has implemented a geolocation feature to help improve mapping of providers; they have confirmed that nursing homes’ ability to report data to comply with CMS requirements for reporting COVID-19 data and COVID-19 and flu vaccination uptake among residents and staff will not be impacted.

Information related to payments in Medicaid cycle 2533 is now available on the DOH website.

The latest CMS Innovation Center model aims to test lifestyle interventions that go beyond traditional clinical care to better manage chronic conditions for the Medicare FFS population. Mandatory LOIs are due April 10^th.