CMS releases QSO Updating CMP Reinvestment

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 09/30/2025 08:31:57
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is updating the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) to strengthen impact and accountability. Key changes include a standardized application form, higher per-project funding limits to account for inflation, and clarified technology parameters. CMS will now accept applications for Mental and Behavioral Health projects following the conclusion of the Center of Excellence collaborative, as well as workforce enhancement projects aimed at improving competency, education, and training for direct care workers in nursing homes.

In addition, project reporting requirements are being updated to ensure demonstrated success before replication in other facilities or states, while streamlining reporting timelines and sharpening measurable outcomes. Transparency will also be enhanced through the public posting of additional elements of State Plans, including each state’s CMP fund balance. These updates are designed to better support innovation, improve care quality, and ensure CMP funds are used effectively for resident benefit.
The QSO is available here

Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

FAQs for the FY 26 Quality Reporting Program

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 09/29/2025 11:38:05
• In: Quality/Regulatory

An update to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document is now available. This document has been updated to reflect the finalized policies for the SNF QRP in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and includes other useful resources available to providers.  This document is current as of 10-120-2025.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Don’t Miss Life Safety Bootcamp – Nov. 20th

• By: Maureen Booth
• On: 09/25/2025 12:56:12
• In: Education

Administrators and maintenance managers play a critical role in keeping residents safe and facilities survey-ready. Join us for Life Safety Bootcamp, a one-day intensive training led by the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, along with experts from Dirigo RMS and MHCA.

• Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
• Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Registration begins at 7:30 AM)
• Lunch provided from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at no additional cost
• Location: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
• Register by Clicking HERE

What to Expect
This hands-on training combines instruction with practical guidance on compliance, documentation, and emergency planning. You’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of Maine Fire Marshal requirements and NFPA code compliance
• Updated guidance on CMS Requirements of Participation (including F-Tags 37 & 39)
• Practical tools, sample policies, and documentation templates
• First-hand experience through a tabletop exercise to strengthen survey readiness and emergency response

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for administrators, maintenance managers, and facility leaders who are responsible for compliance and safety.

To Find Out More
Check out the event page on our website here for more details, including pricing and registration information.

Staff Contact: mbooth@mehca.org 

Support the Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund’s annual Golf Tournament Scholarship Fundraiser – Chance to win $10,000 Hole in One!

• By: Dianne Chicoine
• On: 09/25/2025 10:44:44
• In: Special Events

The Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund is hosting its annual fundraising golf tournament on October 28, 2025, at the Samoset Resort, Rockport, Maine. Since 2007, the Fund has awarded $94,000 to 153 students pursuing careers in long term care. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and teams PLUS a chance to win $10,000 for a Hole in One!

To fund the scholarship program, we need your support in the form of sponsors and golfers for the tournament. Don't have a team? MHCA will pair you with other golfers. Do you have friends, family and/or business colleagues that enjoy golfing? Invite them to participate and help raise funds for the scholarship program. 
 

New Director of Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services Announced

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 09/25/2025 09:45:58
• In: State Agency News

Betsy Hopkins has been named the new Director of the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS).

Ms. Hopkins has devoted more than 35 years to advancing Maine’s disability services system, including the past six years as OADS’ Associate Director for Developmental Disabilities and Brain Injury. In that role, she advanced priorities for adults with disabilities – including older adults – such as person-centered planning, independence and community integration, caregiver support, rural access, and ensuring care is delivered in the most appropriate setting.

She also guided initiatives such as the Lifespan Waiver, employment and innovation programs, crisis system reform, and supports for individuals with co-occurring behavioral health needs – work that required strong cross-system collaboration with aging and adult protective services. Betsy’s engagement with stakeholders on overlapping issues like guardianship and safety further demonstrates the broad perspective she brings to OADS’ mission.

MHCA welcomes Director Hopkins and looks forward to our meeting with her in early October.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
 

Use of Telephone CoreQ Survey Approved

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 09/25/2025 08:36:15
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) has approved the use of telephone surveys, along with other survey formats, to collect CoreQ satisfaction results for Value-Based Purchasing (VBP). Maine Health Care Association (MHCA) is currently reviewing vendors and will share a list of options for providers to consider. The final vendor selection will remain at the discretion of each center.

Maine requires all CoreQ survey data to be reported into the AHCA/NCAL Long Term Care Trend Tracker. If you would like your data released to the state for VBP consideration, you will need to agree to this reporting step. MHCA is working closely with AHCA/NCAL to establish a process to support this.

We appreciate your efforts and patience as this process moves forward.

Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

State of Maine seeks Input on Rural Health Transformation Grant Application

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 09/25/2025 08:33:23
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

The State of Maine is asking for provider input in securing newly available funding through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). If awarded funding through RHTP, Maine anticipates receiving an estimated $500 million, amounting to $100 million a year over five years. States may also receive competitive discretionary funding above that amount. Funding for RHTP is temporary and one-time and must be used within the specified time period.

The State encourages public input to inform its RHTP plan and application. The State notes that it is committed to pursuing an expeditious approach that directs these time-limited funds to areas that improve the health of rural communities through innovation and collaboration.

The public, partners, and others are invited to provide feedback online through October 1, 2025 through a Public Comment Form. MHCA staff participated in the September 23^rd informational session and are soliciting long term care provider input as we draft recommendations to be submitted to the State. MHCA Members are encouraged to reach out to MHCA President/CEO Angela Westhoff to share any ideas or recommendations.

For further information on the RHTP funding opportunity, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ruralhealth

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Lawsuit Dismissal Permanently Prevents Minimum Staffing Regulations

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 09/25/2025 08:32:08
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

On September 18, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) withdrew its appeal of the District Court decision in AHCA v. Kennedy. Earlier this year, a District Court in the Northern District of Texas vacated the federal minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes issued by the Biden Administration, including the 24/7 RN requirement and a minimum number of hours per resident per day. The DOJ filed an appeal in June – but yesterday filed an opposed motion to drop the appeal. The lawsuit has officially been dismissed.

The DOJ also filed paperwork to withdraw its appeal in State of Kansas v. Kennedy. A month after the AHCA case was filed, this similar lawsuit to challenge the rule was filed in Iowa by 20 state attorneys general. The Iowa District Court issued a similar finding to vacate the regulation.

WHAT THIS MEANS

The DOJ’s actions mean the Court rulings will stand. The statute does not permit CMS to set staffing standards beyond what Congress enacted. This will prevent future administrations from issuing such a regulation later.

In addition to the Court decision, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed this summer includes a 10-year moratorium on implementing the staffing standards in the rule. The Trump Administration has signaled its intention to repeal the regulations through an interim final rule (IFR), currently at the Office of Management and Budget for review.

It’s important to note that the Court ruling and OBBBA do not impact the facility assessment portion of the rule. AHCA will continue to monitor for the release of the IFR to identify the full impact.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Residential Care Facilities Delayed

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 09/25/2025 08:30:51
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

Earlier this week, DHHS announced it will temporarily delay implementation of the previously announced 1.0% COLA direct care rates for Residential Care Facilities, Section 97- Appendix C, that will be retroactive to July 1^st. The Department requires additional time to make these updates and anticipates implementation of new rates on October 1, 2025.

Billing Guidance for Dates of Service July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025

Providers are responsible for adjusting claims already billed. The Department recommends adjusting claims with the oldest dates first, to avoid 120-day adjustment timely filing edits. For additional billing guidance when adjusting or reversing claims, please see the How to Adjust Claims for Retro Rate Increases (PDF) document.

Updated RCF rate letters are available on the secure Health PAS Online Portal. For questions on these rates, please contact the individual listed on the rate letters.

For questions on billing guidance, please contact your Provider Relations Specialist.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
 

UPDATED: Final MDS 3.0 RAI User's Manual version 1.20.1

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 09/25/2025 08:22:47
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The posted final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual version (v)1.20.1 has been updated to align with the revisions to item J1900 in the release of the MDS item sets v1.20.1v4. The updated version is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS 3.0 RAI User's Manual v1.20.1 will be effective beginning October 1, 2025.

Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org