Blog
Important CoreQ Update
- By: Anna Black
- On: 05/21/2026 12:07:40
- In: Value Based Payment (VBP) Updates
As part of the Value Based Payment (VBP) program for nursing facilities, providers are required to conduct CoreQ resident and family satisfaction surveys. Based upon recent conversations with DHHS/ MaineCare, MHCA is providing the following updates:
- DHHS indicates that it is drafting the rule outlining the NF Year 2 and beyond requirements for the VBP program, which includes CoreQ. This draft rule is anticipated to be published sometime in June. MHCA will keep members posted on when and how to comment on the draft rule as that is the only way to officially provide feedback.
- DHHS indicates that they anticipate finalizing the rule for VBP requirements in the weeks after public comments have been received.
- We are also told that providers can anticipate a target date of sometime in late October as the deadline for when the CoreQ survey results for CY 2026 will need to be completed.
- Based upon recent conversations with the Department, the survey methods, populations to be surveyed (including residents in hospice care and state guardians) and quality measure thresholds are likely to remain the same as previously presented on QuEST calls and MaineCare VBP presentations.
- However, one notable change is that any withholds from nursing home payment rates related to VBP and quality measures will be postponed until January 2027.
Providers are eligible to select any CoreQ vendor to collect their data which will be submitted to the American Health Care Association who will in turn submit to the State. MHCA is working closely with Align30 after vetting several vendors. If your center has contracted with Align, we encourage you to work closely with them on the timing of your surveys.
We will continue to update members just as soon as more information becomes available.
Staff contact: awesthoff[at]mehca.org