CMS Drops HCP COVID-19 Vaccination Measure from SNF QRP

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 08/19/2026 08:19:10
• In: Quality/Regulatory

CMS has finalized the removal of the Healthcare Personnel (HCP) COVID-19 Vaccination measure from the SNF Quality Reporting Program, as part of the FY 2027 SNF PPS Final Rule. Nursing homes are no longer required to report CY 2026 HCP COVID-19 vaccination data for the FY 2028 payment determination, and facilities that skip this reporting won't see a penalty under the FY 2028 annual payment update. CMS has updated its SNF QRP Data Collection and Submission Deadlines document to reflect the change.

This doesn't touch the rest of your NHSN reporting obligations. Facilities still need to keep up with weekly respiratory illness reporting (COVID-19, influenza, and RSV resident data), HCP influenza vaccination reporting — which remains its own SNF QRP requirement — and any state-specific NHSN mandates.

Make sure whoever handles NHSN reporting at your facility knows exactly what changed:                                                   only the HCP COVID-19 vaccination measure is gone from the SNF QRP, nothing else. Keep NHSN access current and continue reviewing submissions for completeness. Questions on this change or on NHSN generally can go to regulatory@ahca.org.

Staff Contact: mcarland[at]mehca.org