Nominations are due this Saturday, June 27, for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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Join Iowa's largest gathering of long-term care professionals, IHCA's Convention and Trade Show, on Sept. 14-16. This conference, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., will feature more than 40 education sessions, up to 16.0 contact hours and more than 90 trade show exhibitors. Register by July 17 to receive the early bird discount. Additionally, The IHCA Foundation is offering a handful of grants to cover Convention registration for IHCA members. Apply by next Wednesday, July 1, for your chance to be selected.
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IHCA continues to review the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for potential impacts to long-term care providers. The May 27 and June 10 issues include a newly noticed rule regarding quality improvement initiative grants, as well as adopted and filed rules related to the Certificate of Need program, Medicaid waiver services, policies related to providers of medical and remedial care, the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan and more.
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Iowa Medicaid is launching a statewide provider revalidation initiative in response to requirements from CMS. This effort is designed to strengthen program integrity, ensure accurate provider information and reduce fraud, waste and abuse. Revalidation will occur over a two‑year period, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Providers will receive revalidation notices in phases. Each provider will have approximately 30 days to complete the revalidation process once notified.
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As temperatures rise during the summer months, long-term care providers should be prepared to protect residents from the risks associated with extreme heat. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to chronic medical conditions, medications, decreased mobility and a reduced ability to regulate body temperature. IHCA encourages facilities to review and update their emergency preparedness plans that address heat emergencies and prolonged air conditioning outages. Visit the IHCA website and The Compliance Store for additional emergency preparedness tools, resources and guidance.
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division recently issued four new opinion letters addressing key wage and hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including overtime exemptions, bonus calculations, meal periods and compensable work time.
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Fifteen IHCA members from across the state graduated from the 2025-26 IHCA Executive Health Care Leadership Institute, a 10-month program focused on leadership development, quality improvement and workforce engagement, sponsored by Brighton Consulting Group. Participants completed projects addressing key priorities such as staff retention, resident oral health, family communication, fall reduction and wound care, helping strengthen care and services for older Iowans.
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Earning an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award is a prestigious achievement for long-term and post-acute care providers committed to continuous quality improvement. Organizations ready to begin their quality journey can join the hybrid Bronze Quality Award Application Workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 11, while current Bronze recipients can advance to the next level through the virtual Silver Quality Award Application Workshop beginning on Thursday, Aug. 13. Registration is now open for both workshops, sponsored by Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy.
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The Annual Choice Period is the chance to review current health and dental plans and make changes if needed. Tomorrow, June 18, is the deadline to change dental plan enrollment for coverage beginning July 1, 2026. Medicaid members also have an additional 90 days after June 18 to change dental plan enrollment with a future effective date.
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Nominations are due next week for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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Planning is underway for this year’s National Assisted Living Week, taking place Sept. 13–19. A variety of official products, recognition gifts, decorations and promotional resources are now available to help communities celebrate residents, tenants, staff, families, volunteers and community partners. Start planning now with the official planning guide and promotional toolkit.
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Join Iowa's largest gathering of long-term care professionals, IHCA's Convention and Trade Show, on Sept. 14-16. This conference, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., features more than 40 education sessions, up to 16.0 contact hours and more than 90 trade show exhibitors. Register by July 17 to receive the early bird discount. Additionally, The IHCA Foundation is offering a handful of grants to cover Convention registration for IHCA members. Apply by July 1 for your chance to be selected.
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Nominations are open for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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Fifty-seven IHCA members received the 2026 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award from AHCA/NCAL, ranking Iowa first in the nation for the number of Bronze-level recipients. The awards recognize long-term care providers that demonstrate a strong commitment to improving quality of care, resident experience and organizational performance. Congratulations to these members on their quality journeys!
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The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network update regarding hantavirus has understandably raised questions across health care settings, including long-term care (LTC). While headlines involving outbreaks and respiratory illness can quickly generate concern, context is relevant when assessing the true level of risk and operational impact for providers and residents. At this time, the CDC continues to emphasize that the overall risk to the American public remains very low. The current concern is tied to a travel-associated Andes virus outbreak connected to a cruise ship exposure event, not widespread U.S. transmission.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new policy about “adjustment of status,” which is the process of applying for a Green Card while staying in the U.S. Under this policy, most people who are in the U.S. on temporary visas — such as student visas, work visas or tourist visas — will have to return to their home country and apply for a Green Card through a U.S. consulate there. USCIS stated that applying inside the U.S. will only be allowed in rare or “extraordinary” situations. However, this policy may face legal challenges going forward.
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Nominations are open for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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IHCA Foundation scholarship applications for the 2026–2027 academic year close this Sunday. These scholarship opportunities are for individuals pursuing or advancing a career in long-term care. Designed to support both current long-term care professionals and high school seniors planning to enter the field, these scholarships help invest in the future of long-term care.
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IHCA continues to review the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for potential impacts to long-term care providers. The April 29 and May 13 issues include a newly noticed rule from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services sharing proposed amendments to the requirements for participation in the Professional Counselors Licensure Compact and a regulatory analysis regarding the Civil Money Penalties quality improvement initiative grants.
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Nominations for the 2026 Provider Achieving Care Excellence (ACE) Awards – formerly the AHCA/NCAL Awards – are due by this Friday, May 29, at 10:59 p.m. CDT. This year’s program includes recognition opportunities such as the AHCA and NCAL Leader of the Year and Noble Caregiver Awards, along with the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award and the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award, honoring outstanding leaders and caregivers across skilled nursing and assisted living.
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Nominations are open for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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The IHCA Foundation is currently offering scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing or advancing a career in long-term care. Designed to support both current long-term care professionals looking to strengthen their health care or leadership skills and high school seniors planning to enter the field, these scholarships help invest in the future of long-term care. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year close in less than two weeks; apply today!
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Nominations are now open for IHCA members in good standing who are interested in serving on the 2027 IHCA Board of Trustees. The nomination form must be submitted by June 27, with voting taking place July 31 through Sept. 8 and newly elected leaders announced at the IHCA Annual Business Meeting during the 2026 Convention on Sept. 15. Positions open include Board officers as well as chair and vice-chair roles for the skilled nursing, assisted living, home care and care continuum provider cabinets.
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Iowa Medicaid is notifying managed care organizations and key stakeholders of an upcoming transition involving the Iowa Medicaid Core Standardized Assessment (CSA) contract. Effective July 1, 2026, CareStar, Inc. will assume operational responsibility for the Iowa Medicaid CSA contract, succeeding Telligen, Inc., whose current contract expires June 30, 2026.
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Following IHCA's April Managed Care Organization Call, Iowa Total Care has provided responses and additional clarification on authorization issues related to CareBridge, electronic visit verification (EVV)-related issues, dual-eligible claims and more, which are shared for reference and continued guidance.
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Nominations for the 2026 Provider Achieving Care Excellence (ACE) Awards – formerly the AHCA/NCAL Awards – are due by next Friday, May 29, at 10:59 p.m. CDT. This year’s program includes recognition opportunities such as the AHCA and NCAL Leader of the Year and Noble Caregiver Awards, along with the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award and the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award, honoring outstanding leaders and caregivers across skilled nursing and assisted living.
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IHCA’s 2026 legislative advocacy delivered significant results for Iowa long-term care providers, including Certified Medication Aide (CMA) reform, over $8 million in Elderly Waiver funding, preservation of key reimbursement protections and a substantial reduction in the impact of proposed property tax increases. Additional wins included addressing managed care claims issues and preventing burdensome legislation from advancing. View the full 2026 Legislative Outcomes Report for a comprehensive overview of the association’s advocacy efforts and legislative achievements during the 2026 session.
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The John W. and Kimberly D. Grubb Registered Nurse (RN) Scholarship, made possible by the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation, is available for an employee of an IHCA member organization pursuing an accredited RN degree during the 2026-2027 academic year. One $3,000 scholarship is available. Applications for this scholarship program are open now through May 31, 2026. Additionally, applications for all IHCA Foundation scholarship programs will close in less than three weeks; submit your applications today!
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On April 30, the Iowa Total Care provider relations team released a provider alert regarding person-centered service plans (PCSPs) and level of care assessments. While Iowa Total Care continues to enhance the functionality of the Availity Portal, PCSPs and level of care assessments can be found on its Legacy Portal.
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The MolinaCares High School Scholarship, made possible by the Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (MolinaCares), is now available for Iowa high school seniors who are in their senior year of high school during the 2025-2026 academic year and interested in pursuing a nursing career in long-term care. A total of nine $2,000 scholarships are available. Applications for this scholarship program are open now through May 31, 2026.
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Nominations are open for the 2026 Provider Achieving Care Excellence (ACE) Awards – formerly the AHCA/NCAL Awards – with submissions due by Friday, May 29, at 10:59 p.m. CDT. This year’s program includes recognition opportunities such as the AHCA and NCAL Leader of the Year and Noble Caregiver Awards, along with the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award and the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award, honoring outstanding leaders and caregivers across skilled nursing and assisted living.
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IHCA continues to review the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for potential impacts to long-term care providers. The April 15 issue includes a newly noticed rule from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services outlining procedures for record check evaluations. These will be used to determine employment eligibility for individuals with certain criminal convictions or founded abuse findings in health care settings and related training programs.
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The IHCA Foundation is now offering two different scholarship opportunities for new and experienced directors of nursing (DONs), made possible by Care Initiatives. The Care Initiatives New DON Scholarship is made for new DONs to attend the DON Fundamentals - A Playbook for New Nurse Leaders Program in October and the Care Initiatives DON Leadership Scholarship is made for DONs to attend the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) Director of Nursing Services (DNS-CT) Program in December. Applications for these scholarship programs are open now through May 31, 2026.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Iowa City, Eldridge, Glidden and more.
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House File 2680 is workforce‑focused legislation enacted by the Iowa General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Reynolds on April 16, 2026, that significantly changes how certified medication aides (CMAs) are credentialed, recognized and regulated across Iowa health care settings. The bill is designed to remove unnecessary barriers to certification, expand the available labor pool and create regulatory consistency across facility types where CMAs are valuable workforce contributors, such as nursing homes, assisted living programs, residential care facilities and intermediate care settings.
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On April 9, 2026, Gov. Reynolds signed Senate File 572 into law. The new statute prohibits the issuance or renewal of a health care facility license for any entity owned or controlled — directly or indirectly — by the governments of China, Russia or North Korea, or by citizens or instrumentalities of those countries. Following rule-making, additional guidance will be shared on enforcement procedures and potential implications for noncompliance. Providers should remain alert for updates as the process moves forward.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Iowa City, Eldridge and more.
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The Iowa Total Care Long-Term Care Workforce Scholarship, made possible by Iowa Total Care, is for employees at IHCA member organizations enrolled or accepted in an accredited long-term care degree program. A total of nine $1,500 scholarships are available. Applications for this scholarship program are open now through May 31, 2026.
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Nominations are now open for the 2026 Provider Achieving Care Excellence (ACE) Awards – formerly the AHCA/NCAL Awards – with submissions due by Friday, May 29, at 10:59 p.m. CDT. This year’s program includes recognition opportunities such as the AHCA and NCAL Leader of the Year and Noble Caregiver Awards, along with the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award and the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award, honoring outstanding leaders and caregivers across skilled nursing and assisted living.
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The IHCA Foundation is excited to announce scholarship opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a career in long-term care. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year opened today, April 15, and will remain open through May 31. These scholarships will support both current long-term care professionals seeking to enhance their health care or leadership skills and high school seniors planning to pursue an education in long-term care.
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Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) recently implemented a process change regarding the issuance of provider licensing certificates. With the new process, digital certificates will be posted in DIAL’s Health Facilities Database in the provider’s entity detail page in the ‘files’ folder. A hard copy will no longer be mailed to the facility/program.
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The April assisted living (AL) survey trend report is now available in the IHCA Member Resource Center. This member-only report highlights the most common regulatory insufficiencies and is intended to help AL programs improve survey quality and prepare for future surveys. Congratulations to the IHCA AL members that recently achieved an insufficiency-free survey.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Montrose, Eldridge and more.
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Prairie View Campus, an IHCA member, is turning a vacant memory care unit into a shared space with a childcare center, creating daily interaction between residents and children. The project aims to reduce isolation, boost resident engagement and meet a local childcare need — a creative approach IHCA is excited to see from its members.
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IHCA reports that HF 2680 – one of its top 2026 priorities – has passed the legislature and would streamline certified medication aide (CMA) requirements while creating a statewide online registry to help providers verify credentials and reduce fraud. In addition, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released a proposed SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) model that ties a portion of Medicaid reimbursement to quality performance, though it would be implemented as an add-on and still requires federal approval and legislative funding. IHCA is continuing to review the proposal and will keep members updated on next steps.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Waterloo, Malvern, Council Bluffs and more.
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Veterans are highly represented in Iowa’s long-term care settings, yet many eligible residents and spouses miss out on valuable benefits due to complexity and lack of awareness. Free, credible assistance—especially through county veterans service officers and the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs—can help residents access these earned benefits and improve financial and care outcomes. Understanding where free, credible assistance exists and integrating veterans’ benefit access into routine operations can support Iowa's veterans in receiving the benefits and aid they deserve.
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Registration is still open for the CMS Region Seven Fraud Awareness: Lunch and Learn Series. The first session of this four-part series launches tomorrow, April 9. Each 30-minute webinar features presentations from federal and state partners on a variety of important fraud-related topics.
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IHCA is proud to recognize our dedicated members who have been selected to serve as 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Examiners. These professionals play an important role in advancing quality improvement across long-term and post-acute care nationwide.
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The Provider Achieving Care Excellence (ACE) Awards, formerly known as the AHCA/NCAL Awards, are now accepting nominations for the 2026 award cycle. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, May 29, at 10:59 p.m.
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The IHCA Foundation will soon announce scholarship opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a career in long-term care. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year will open next Wednesday, April 15 and will remain open for applications through May 31. Full details, including eligibility requirements, application guidelines and submission materials, will be shared in next week’s Clinical and Executive Updates.
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Iowa Medicaid recently released its quarterly newsletter. Key areas of focus include upcoming monthly town hall dates, Iowa Wellness Plan Demonstration Annual Forum details, new Medicaid events, Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments (HOME) project updates, managed care plan updates, a new 'Flourish' magazine from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and more.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Altoona, Eldridge, Dubuque and more.
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IHCA’s Spring Conference, presented by BCG, kicks off this afternoon at The Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona. The opening general session will begin at 12:45 p.m. Over the next two days, attendees will take part in 30+ education sessions, connect with peers and industry partners and earn up to 10.0 contact hours across a range of timely topics. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to join us.
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The Fee for Service (FFS) Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, has been updated. The updated form is effective now and expires March 2029. Providers may continue to use the expired version of the form until May 12, 2026, but must begin using the approved form no later than that date. This ABN is used in nursing facilities and other provider types to transfer potential financial liability for items/services (such as outpatient therapy) expected to be denied under Medicare Part B only.
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The IHCA Foundation will soon announce scholarship opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a career in long-term care. Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are expected to open in mid-April and will remain open through May 31.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Waterloo, Eldridge, Oskaloosa, Iowa City and more.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Iowa City, Eldridge, Newton, Hiawatha, Harlan and Clarinda.
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IHCA continues to review the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for potential impacts to long-term care providers. The March 4 issue includes a proposed rule from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services outlining procedures for record check evaluations. These will be used to determine employment eligibility for individuals with certain criminal convictions or founded abuse findings in health care settings and related training programs.
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The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is seeking qualified nurses to serve on item writing and review panels for the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams, which are designed to assess the knowledge and skills needed for safe, entry-level nursing practice. The influence of post-acute nursing is essential to the applicability of the NCLEX exam for nurses. Participation allows nurses to influence the exam’s applicability, contribute to the profession, earn continuing education credit and network nationally and internationally. Volunteer opportunities are held in Chicago, with travel expenses covered.
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More than 50 long-term care leaders gathered at the Iowa Capitol last week for IHCA Day on the Hill, presented by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., to meet with legislators and advocate for the profession. Members shared how policy decisions impact residents, staff and communities while highlighting IHCA’s 2026 priorities, including workforce solutions, home- and community-based services and sustainable funding for long-term care. The event provided an important opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from providers delivering care across Iowa.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Burlington, Ankeny, Montrose, Iowa City, Waterloo, Eldridge, Council Bluffs, Denison, Cedar Rapids and Urbandale.
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All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and ID/DD centers must comply with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, which requires a formal respiratory protection program for employees exposed to airborne hazards. To help providers meet these requirements and reduce compliance risk, AHCA/NCAL and MCA Consulting have developed a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Plan training and toolkit that includes templates, required forms, fit testing guidance and employee training. AHCA/NCAL members can access this all-in-one compliance resource through a deeply discounted three-year subscription.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Red Oak, Glenwood, Eldridge and Dubuque.
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Submissions are due tomorrow for activity professionals who want to enter for a chance to win a complimentary registration to IHCA’s Spring Conference, March 25–26 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. To enter, participants are asked to reflect on the question “Why do I do this job?” through a short written reflection, video, presentation or visual design. Five winners will be selected by the IHCA Activity Advisory Council.
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The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) has announced final rule changes to Iowa Administrative Code Chapters 481-67 and 481-69, effective March 11, 2026. The updates revise the scope of practice for LPNs, allowing them to complete initial and change-in-condition assessments by delegation from a Registered Nurse, and require programs to specify in policy who is responsible for completing initial incident reports. Repetitive requirements from Iowa Code 231C were removed from the administrative rules, and providers are advised to reference the Code directly for related regulatory guidance.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced free competency-based training (CBT) opportunities for Iowa long-term services and supports providers. Upcoming sessions will address service documentation and monitoring best practices as well as early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) requirements, with content tailored to providers, direct support professionals and case managers. All trainings will be recorded and made available through the agencies’ online training archive and Learning Management System.
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Several key bills affecting long-term care providers and IHCA members have advanced in the 2026 Iowa legislative session, including measures related to Medicaid elderly waiver services, certified medication aides, claims payment and audits, guardianship, property tax, Certificate of Need and rural access. These proposals could impact operations, workforce capacity, reimbursement and access to care across skilled nursing, assisted living and other care settings. IHCA continues to monitor and engage with lawmakers to support policies that strengthen the workforce, improve provider sustainability and ensure high-quality care for Iowans.
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Leaders of Iowa assisted living (AL) programs are responsible for balancing tenant safety with tenant rights, particularly during involuntary discharges, which are closely regulated and often contested. Iowa law sets detailed requirements for both emergency and 30-day involuntary discharges, including specific notice formatting. IHCA provides up-to-date, customizable templates to ensure compliance and AL leaders are encouraged to use IHCA’s resources and guidance to avoid outdated templates and regulatory issues.
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IHCA’s Spring Conference, presented by BCG, will be held March 25–26 at The Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona. Sessions will focus on leadership, workforce, compliance, reimbursement and quality improvement, with up to 10.0 contact hours available for a range of care professionals. Limited rooms remain at Prairie Meadows Hotel, with an additional room block available at the Comfort Inn Altoona across the street.
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IHCA’s Day on the Hill on March 4 will bring long-term care leaders to the Iowa Capitol to meet directly with legislators and share how policy decisions impact residents, tenants, patients, staff and communities across Iowa. This event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., plays a key role in advancing IHCA’s advocacy priorities during the legislative session. Please RSVP by this Friday, Feb. 27, to secure your spot.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Waterloo, Iowa City, Eldridge, Council Bluffs, Wilton, Oskaloosa, Coralville, Bettendorf, Urbandale, DeWitt, Marion and Ankeny.
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Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and ID/DD centers must maintain a respiratory protection program to comply with OSHA and CMS requirements, ensuring employee and resident safety from airborne hazards. AHCA/NCAL and MCA Consulting are offering a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Plan toolkit and training, including customizable templates, forms and videos to help providers achieve compliance. The resource is being offered via a discounted three-year subscription, giving facilities everything needed to meet federal respiratory protection and emergency preparedness standards.
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Iowa officials, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, announced the launch of the new Health Care Professional Incentive Program, backed by nearly $8 million in first-year funding to recruit and retain medical professionals in high-need and rural counties. The program offers income bonuses or federal student loan repayment to eligible health care providers who commit to working in underserved areas for up to five years full-time or seven years part-time. The initiative consolidates five previous state incentive programs into one streamlined effort to strengthen Iowa’s health care workforce pipeline and improve access to care. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.
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Senior living providers are invited to participate in the 2025 State of Seniors Housing Annual Survey, which will collect data on independent living, assisted living, nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities, and will compile the results into a report. Participating organizations will receive a complimentary copy of the report, which includes financial results, staffing metrics, resident turnover, and other key performance indicators. Completed surveys are due by March 31, 2026.
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CMS has updated the MLN Booklet titled, "Medicare Billing: CMS 1450 & 837I." The updated guidance has added COVID-19 vaccinations to its roster billing options. More information about roster billing can be found on the CMS website.
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IHCA’s Day on the Hill on March 4 will bring long-term care leaders to the Iowa Capitol to meet directly with legislators and share how policy decisions impact residents, tenants, patients, staff and communities across Iowa. This event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., plays a key role in advancing IHCA’s advocacy priorities during the legislative session. Members are encouraged to RSVP by Feb. 27 and review IHCA’s 2026 Legislative + Policy Agenda in advance.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Winterset, Ankeny, Murray, Webster City, Fairfield, Spencer, Fredericksburg, Newton, Eldridge, Cedar Rapids, Harlan, Allison, Dubuque, Waterloo and Iowa City.
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Administrators are encouraged to share an opportunity with their activity professionals to win one of five complimentary registrations to IHCA’s Spring Conference, March 25–26 in Altoona. To enter, activity professionals will submit a brief reflection — in writing, video, slides or a visual format — answering the question, “Why do I do this job?” Submissions are due March 5, and winners will be selected by the IHCA Activity Professionals Advisory Council.
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IHCA is monitoring the Jan. 21 and Feb. 4 Iowa Administrative Bulletin for items that may impact members, with several adopted rule updates from the Department of Inspections and Appeals tied to the state’s Red Tape Review (Executive Order 10). The updates include repromulgated chapters and new standards for health care facility audits, elder group homes, assisted living programs and adult day services, specifically addressing certification processes, incident investigations and medication handling.
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Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking public comments through this Friday, Feb. 13, on a proposal to redesign its Medicaid HCBS waiver system under the HOME project, replacing six disability-based waivers with two new waivers (Children and Youth, and Adults with Disabilities) while keeping the Elderly Waiver. The redesign aims to simplify the system, better match services to individual needs and support people with disabilities in living at home rather than in institutions. The transition would occur in phases starting in late 2026, with all changes subject to CMS approval after the public comment process.
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Iowa Medicaid and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have announced the FFY 2025 SUPPORT Act reporting survey, which collects data on providers’ compliance with required Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) checks before prescribing controlled substances to most Medicaid members. The survey supports Iowa’s annual Medicaid Drug Utilization Review reporting to CMS and applies to prescribing practices from October 2024 through September 2025. Providers must complete the survey by March 31, 2026.
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IHCA’s Day on the Hill on March 4 will bring long-term care leaders to the Iowa Capitol to meet directly with legislators and share how policy decisions impact residents, tenants, patients, staff and communities across Iowa. This event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., plays a key role in advancing IHCA’s advocacy priorities during the legislative session. Members are encouraged to RSVP by Feb. 27 and review IHCA’s 2026 Legislative + Policy Agenda in advance.
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IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Forest City, Waterloo, Roland, Denver, Algona, Denison, Davenport and Parkersburg.
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IHCA’s Infection Prevention and Control Series next Tuesday and Wednesday will focus on foundational and applied infection prevention strategies for long-term care settings. This two-day virtual program offers flexible registration options and will feature practical, interactive learning led by infection prevention expert Missy Travis. The series is approved for up to 8.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, department heads and environmental services professionals. Registration grants live access only — the program will not be recorded.
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Registration is now open for IHCA’s Spring Conference, presented by BCG, taking place March 25–26 in Altoona. This two-day event will offer practical, Iowa-specific education across leadership, workforce, compliance, reimbursement and quality, with up to 10.0 contact hours available for a wide range of long-term care professionals. The discounted hotel room rate is available through Feb. 27.
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The SING system received an overdue upgrade, going live on Jan. 25, with the old platform set to sunset on Feb. 28. Members must use the new SING portal for results, which are only available for 30 days, and access requires setting up an OKTA account through their agency admin. The old system remains available only for retrieving past submissions, and organizations are advised to download all necessary results before the deadline.
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All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and ID/DD centers must comply with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, which requires a formal respiratory protection program for employees exposed to airborne hazards. To help providers meet these requirements and reduce compliance risk, AHCA/NCAL and MCA Consulting have developed a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Plan training and toolkit that includes templates, required forms, fit testing guidance and employee training. AHCA/NCAL members can access this all-in-one compliance resource through a deeply discounted three-year subscription.
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IHCA’s Day on the Hill on March 4 will bring long-term care leaders to the Iowa Capitol to meet directly with legislators and share how policy decisions impact residents, tenants, patients, staff and communities across Iowa. This event, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., plays a key role in advancing IHCA’s advocacy priorities during the legislative session. Members are encouraged to RSVP by Feb. 27 and review IHCA’s 2026 Legislative + Policy Agenda in advance.
Read More
IHCA encourages members to attend upcoming legislative town halls as a practical way to support grassroots advocacy and connect directly with elected officials. These local forums provide an opportunity to share real-world perspective on how legislation impacts long-term care and reinforce IHCA’s 2026 priorities. Upcoming events include town halls and legislative forums in Ankeny, Sumner, Emmetsburg, Ida Grove, Dubuque, Storm Lake and Nashua.
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Iowa has ranked third in the nation for AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award applications in 2026, with IHCA members submitting 137 total applications – including the most Bronze applications and the second most Silver applications of any state. That represents a 38% increase over last year, underscoring Iowa providers’ strong commitment to quality improvement. Congratulations to all IHCA members who submitted an application this year – your dedication to continuous improvement and excellence continues to set Iowa apart.
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The Iowa Insurance Division’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) reminds Iowans of upcoming Medicare deadlines, including the March 31, 2026, deadline to make changes during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Iowans affected by cancelled Medicare Advantage or Part D plans have until Feb. 28, 2026, to enroll in new coverage, with some eligible for guaranteed issue Medigap policies. SHIIP offers free, confidential counseling to help beneficiaries understand their options and make informed decisions.
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IHCA’s Infection Prevention and Control Series on Feb. 17–18 will focus on foundational and applied infection prevention strategies for long-term care settings. This live, two-day virtual program offers flexible registration options and will feature practical, interactive learning led by infection prevention expert Missy Travis. The series is approved for up to 8.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, department heads and environmental services professionals.
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IHCA’s Frontline Workforce Solutions on Feb. 26 will focus on retention, supervision and staffing strategies for frontline staff and the supervisors who support them. This virtual program will feature practical, experience-driven approaches from long-term care peers and leaders, and is approved for 2.5 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals. A recorded on-demand option will be available after the live event.
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IHCA is offering its Assisted Living Management Certification (ALMC) Program and Assisted Living (AL) Regulatory Class in person this April to support AL professionals in meeting Iowa’s required training and regulatory standards. The four-day ALMC Program on April 6-9 prepares participants for certification as AL managers and offers 24.0 contact hours, while the AL Regulatory Class on April 8 fulfills the state requirement for delegating nurses and offers 7.0 contact hours.
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The January assisted living (AL) survey trend report is now available in the IHCA Member Resource Center. This member-only report highlights the most common regulatory insufficiencies and is intended to help AL programs improve survey quality and prepare for future surveys. Congratulations to the IHCA assisted living members that recently achieved an insufficiency-free survey.
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AHCA/NCAL has extended the 2026 National Quality Award application deadline to tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CST. Members are reminded to submit all applications and payments through the Quality Award Portal and to verify submission status via a confirmation email or by checking the portal. Support resources and the AHCA Quality Award team are available for assistance.
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OSHA has two key injury and illness recordkeeping compliance deadlines for 2026. Employers must post the OSHA Form 300A (Summary of 2025 Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) by Feb. 1, 2026, and keep it posted through April 30, 2026. Required data must also be submitted electronically through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application by March 2, 2026, depending on establishment size and industry. OSHA and AHCA/NCAL resources are available to help long-term care providers determine coverage and complete recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
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Effective Feb. 1, Iowa Total Care will conduct quarterly reviews of Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) provider documentation as part of ongoing service monitoring. Community-based case managers will review records during member visits to ensure services are delivered as outlined in each member’s person-centered service plan. Providers must have relevant documentation available, including service plans, logs, medication records, financial documents and incident reports.
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CMS is transitioning the CLIA program to a fully electronic system, meaning nursing homes that perform lab testing must switch to paperless notifications, fee coupons and certificates by March 1, 2026. After that date, paper CLIA fee coupons and paper certificates will no longer be issued (with exceptions for CLIA-exempt states or state licensure). Facilities can opt in by notifying their state agency in writing or by completing the CMS-116 form to receive electronic notifications and certificates via email.
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IHCA’s Infection Prevention and Control Series on Feb. 17–18 will focus on foundational and applied infection prevention strategies for long-term care settings. This live, two-day virtual program offers flexible registration options and will feature practical, interactive learning led by infection prevention expert Missy Travis. The series is approved for up to 8.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, department heads and environmental services professionals.
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IHCA’s Infection Prevention and Control Series on Feb. 17–18 will focus on foundational and applied infection prevention strategies for long-term care settings. This live, two-day virtual program offers flexible registration options and will feature practical, interactive learning led by infection prevention expert Missy Travis. The series is approved for up to 8.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, department heads and environmental services professionals.
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AHCA/NCAL 2026 National Quality Award applications are due tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, by 7:00 p.m. CST, with no exceptions for late submissions. Facilities can still apply even if they did not submit an Intent to Apply, and participation helps strengthen performance, improve outcomes and recognize your team’s commitment to quality.
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The University of Iowa will host four-hour, discussion-based MDRO tabletop exercises this spring to help Iowa health care facilities strengthen emergency response plans and meet CMS emergency preparedness requirements. These sessions will focus on identifying and responding to multidrug-resistant organism threats, with special emphasis on Candida auris and CPO. Upcoming events will be held April 29 in Webster City, April 30 in Red Oak and May 13 in Pella.
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IHCA is monitoring the Dec. 24 and Jan. 7 Iowa Administrative Bulletin for items that may impact members, with several newly noticed Iowa Medicaid and waiver-related rule updates tied to the state’s Red Tape Review (Executive Order 10). The updates include proposed changes to waiver services, payment methods, provider policies and conditions of participation, managed care and covered services, along with an adopted rule increasing the State Supplementary Assistance personal needs allowance from $50 to $55.
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The 2026 Iowa legislative session is underway, and IHCA is advocating at the Capitol for policies that support long-term care providers across the state. IHCA’s priorities include strengthening the CNA and CMA workforce pipeline, improving access to care through a more sustainable Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Elderly Waiver and securing funding to support critical long-term care services. To connect directly with legislators on these issues, mark your calendar for IHCA Day on the Hill, happening March 4, 2026.
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IHCA’s Frontline Workforce Solutions on Feb. 26 will focus on retention, supervision and staffing strategies for frontline staff and the supervisors who support them. This virtual program will feature practical, experience-driven approaches from long-term care peers and leaders, and is approved for 2.5 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals. A recorded on-demand option will be available after the live event.
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IHCA’s Frontline Workforce Solutions on Feb. 26 will focus on retention, supervision and staffing strategies for frontline staff and the supervisors who support them. This virtual program will feature practical, experience-driven approaches from long-term care peers and leaders, and is approved for 2.5 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals. A recorded on-demand option will be available after the live event.
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As we kick off 2026, IHCA President and CEO Brent Willett reminds members that work in long-term care isn’t a tragedy — it’s a calling that requires resilience, skill and professionalism. He reaffirms IHCA’s commitment to elevating the work of providers and advocating for the fairness, respect and recognition the profession has earned.
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Applications for the 2026 National Quality Award Program are due by next Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7:00 p.m. CST. Organizations may still apply even if they did not submit an intent to apply. Participation in the National Quality Award Program helps providers identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, support better outcomes for residents and staff and gain recognition as leaders in long-term and post-acute care. Organizations are encouraged to complete and submit their applications through the Quality Award Portal ahead of the deadline to avoid technical or internal delays.
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Effective Jan. 1, 2026, all Wellcare (Medicare) prior authorization requests for certain services will transition from Evolent to Wellcare, with no changes to Iowa Total Care (Medicaid) processes. Affected services include advanced and cardiac imaging, therapies, select surgeries, oncology services and interventional pain management, with all requests required to be submitted through Wellcare’s secure provider portal.
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As part of Iowa Total Care's ongoing work to improve the prior authorization (PA) process for both providers and members, Iowa Total Care is sharing some important updates to their PA requirements. Their goal is to reduce administrative burden, simplify submission and approval processes and facilitate timely access to appropriate, high-quality care. Code changes will become effective on April 1, 2026.
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Join IHCA next Wednesday, Jan. 14, for "Leading with Purpose – The Three Cs Framework", a leadership webinar sponsored by Brighton Consulting Group and led by Jerald Cosey. This session will introduce the confront, compete and conquer framework, offering practical tools and a renewed perspective for nurses, administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals, and is approved for 1.0 contact hour.
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Applications for the 2026 National Quality Award are due by Jan. 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CST, and organizations may still apply even if they did not submit an intent to apply. Participation in the National Quality Award Program helps providers identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, support better outcomes for residents and staff and gain recognition as leaders in long-term and post-acute care. Organizations are encouraged to complete and submit their applications through the Quality Award Portal ahead of the deadline to avoid technical or internal delays.
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Applications for the 2026 National Quality Award are due by Jan. 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CST, and organizations may still apply even if they did not submit an intent to apply. Participation in the National Quality Award Program helps providers identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, support better outcomes for residents and staff and gain recognition as leaders in long-term and post-acute care. Organizations are encouraged to complete and submit their applications through the Quality Award Portal ahead of the deadline to avoid technical or internal delays.
Read More
All skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and ID/DD centers must comply with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, which requires a formal respiratory protection program for employees exposed to airborne hazards. To help providers meet these requirements and reduce compliance risk, AHCA/NCAL and MCA Consulting have developed a comprehensive Respiratory Protection Plan training and toolkit that includes templates, required forms, fit testing guidance and employee training. AHCA/NCAL members can access this all-in-one compliance resource through a deeply discounted three-year subscription.
Read More
Iowa Medicaid and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have announced upcoming updates to Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver service names, procedure codes and Attendant Care forms, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The changes affect multiple waivers, including AIDS/HIV, Brain Injury, Elderly, Intellectual Disabilities and Physical Disability, and will align service names and codes with updated Medicaid fee schedules. Providers are encouraged to review the implementation guidance and prepare their systems in advance, as a revised Attendant Care form will also be released to support Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and documentation requirements.
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Join IHCA on Wednesday, Jan. 14, for "Leading with Purpose – The Three Cs Framework", a leadership webinar sponsored by Brighton Consulting Group and led by Jerald Cosey. This session introduces the confront, compete and conquer framework, offering practical tools and a renewed perspective for nurses, administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals, and is approved for 1.0 contact hour.
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IHCA continues to track issues of importance to members, including the subjects mentioned in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin that is released every two weeks. The bi-weekly areas of note found in the Nov. 12, Nov. 26 and Dec. 10 issues of the Iowa Administrative Bulletin include regulatory analyses related to Medicaid waiver services, conditions of participation for providers of medical and remedial care, adopted and filed rule related to conditions of eligibility, newly noticed rules related to assisted living programs, health care facility audits, adult day care and more.
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Join IHCA on Wednesday, Jan. 14, for "Leading with Purpose – The Three Cs Framework", a leadership webinar sponsored by Brighton Consulting Group and led by Jerald Cosey. This session introduces the confront, compete and conquer framework, offering practical tools and a renewed perspective for nurses, administrators, assisted living managers, department heads and activity professionals, and is approved for 1.0 contact hour.
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The Iowa Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) team, in partnership with the managed care organizations, invite you to join for a special Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Enabling Technology Town Hall held tomorrow, Dec. 11, at 2:30 p.m.
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IHCA's hybrid Technology and Innovation Summit, to be held tomorrow, Dec. 4, and sponsored by Williams & Company P.C., will focus on how artificial intelligence (AI), automation and emerging technologies are transforming the long-term and senior care landscape. Through expert presentations, real-world examples and provider insights, attendees will explore practical strategies for implementing technology that improves care quality, reduces staff burden, enhances efficiency and ensures compliance. This summit is offered in a hybrid format and is approved for 4.5 contact hours for administrators, assisted living managers, nurses, social services staff and department heads.
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Iowa Medicaid and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have issued IL 2717 outlining annual fraud- and abuse-prevention submission requirements for providers or entities receiving $5 million or more in Medicaid payments during a federal fiscal year. Eligible providers must maintain specific written policies and submit the required Attestation of Compliance form (470-5506) by Jan. 31, 2026. Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including suspension or termination from the Iowa Medicaid program.
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CMS has approved a one-year temporary extension and amendment of the "Iowa Wellness Plan" section 1115 demonstration. This approval allows the state to continue operating the demonstration through 2026 and sunsets the waiver of non-emergency medical transportation on Dec. 31, 2026.
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