Nominations for IHCA's 2027 cabinets, committees and advisory councils are due by this upcoming Monday, Aug. 31. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to help shape the association’s advocacy, education, quality initiatives and member services while building leadership experience and professional connections. Cabinet appointments will be announced during IHCA’s Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, while committee and advisory council appointees will be notified in November. Terms begin in January 2027.
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Each week, IHCA highlights a question of the week for long-term care professionals. This week's question relates to background checks for an applicant who has a known criminal/abuse history that has been working in another health care facility.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and local public health agencies are responding to an outbreak of measles in southern Iowa. As of Aug.16, twelve confirmed cases of measles have been identified, with evidence of person-to-person spread. Iowa DHHS and local public health agencies are working closely with affected families and community leaders to identify illnesses, share information and ensure access to vaccination. Iowa DHHS and local health officials have identified locations visited by individuals while contagious, where others might have been exposed to measles. Anyone present at the following locations listed in this article during the listed date and time should monitor for symptoms of measles.
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Enter for a chance to win one of three complimentary registrations to IHCA’s 2026 Convention and Trade Show, courtesy of Enrollment Support from IHCA Provider Solutions! To enter, simply review the IHCA Member Benefits webpage, complete the short quiz and submit your answers by this Friday, Aug. 21. Winners will be notified by Aug. 25 — before Convention early registration rates increase on Aug. 28.
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As summer continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding the public to be aware of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
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Wellpoint will host its next quarterly town hall for network care providers on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include Wellpoint's upcoming Digital Solutions Learning Hub (on24.com), health outcomes and community-focused care, the upcoming Medicare open enrollment period and more.
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IHCA is accepting nominations for its 2027 cabinets, committees and advisory councils through Aug. 31, 2026. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to help shape the association’s advocacy, education, quality initiatives and member services while building leadership experience and professional connections. Cabinet appointments will be announced during IHCA’s Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, while committee and advisory council appointees will be notified in November. Terms begin in January 2027. Cabinet appointments will be announced during IHCA’s Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
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On Thursday, July 9, IHCA hosted its monthly Home Care Provider Update Call to discuss the most recent changes and updates for the home health and home care professions. Conversation covered the home health proposed rule, a national moratorium on home health and hospice, Iowa Medicaid rate updates, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment cost reports implementation timeline, upcoming education events and more.
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IHCA continues to review the Iowa Administrative Bulletin for potential impacts to long-term care providers. The July 22 and Aug. 5 issues include regulatory analyses regarding nursing education programs and dependent adult abuse, a newly adopted rule related to quality improvement initiative grants.
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The next major advocacy battle is already on the horizon as 2027 will be one of the most challenging legislative sessions in recent memory. Iowa will enter another Medicaid rebasing year while facing competing demands for limited state resources. Providers may also encounter renewed proposals that impact reimbursement, increase costs or add regulatory burden. While IHCA enters this next period with a proven track record, success in 2027 will require more than a strong advocacy team. It will require providers willing to tell their stories, engage with elected officials, respond to advocacy alerts and support the efforts that help keep long-term care priorities in front of decision-makers.
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Enter for a chance to win one of three complimentary registrations to IHCA's 2026 Convention and Trade Show, courtesy of Enrollment Support, an IHCA Provider Solutions service. Simply review the IHCA Member Benefits webpage, complete the short quiz and submit your answers by Friday, Aug. 21 to be entered into the drawing. Additionally, get a head start on planning for IHCA’s 2026 Convention and Trade Show by exploring the full three-day schedule, including education sessions, special events and other conference highlights.
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IHCA is now accepting nominations for its 2027 cabinets, committees and advisory councils through Aug. 31, 2026. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to help shape the association’s advocacy, education, quality initiatives and member services while building leadership experience and professional connections. Cabinet appointments will be announced during IHCA’s Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, while committee and advisory council appointees will be notified in November. Terms begin in January 2027. Cabinet appointments will be announced during IHCA’s Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
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Enter for a chance to win one of three complimentary registrations to IHCA's 2026 Convention and Trade Show, courtesy of Enrollment Support, an IHCA Provider Solutions service. Simply review the IHCA Member Benefits webpage, complete the short quiz and submit your answers by Friday, Aug. 21 to be entered into the drawing.
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An updated version of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) Health and Safety Division Long-Term Care (LTC) Bureau, Acute and Continuing Care (ACC) Bureau and Health Facilities map is now available.
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As of June 1, 2026, home health aide (HHA) services provided while a member is receiving daily supportive community living (SCL) services of eight or more hours per day will be considered non-covered due to duplication of services.
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IHCA's Home Care Accreditation Program recognizes home care agencies that demonstrate excellence by meeting comprehensive operational and quality standards. Congratulations to Bethany at Home in Story City on becoming the second agency to earn this distinction, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality supportive care.
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IHCA has launched the new Leadership Excellence Academy, a role-specific leadership development program that combines practical leadership training with a real-world quality improvement project. The inaugural cohort begins in November 2027, giving members more than a year to complete the prerequisite pathway for their role and begin preparing for this new leadership experience.
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The 2026 Home Care and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies submissions are due this Monday, Aug. 10. The reports are recognized as the authoritative source for comprehensive marketplace data for home health and hospice agencies. Both studies include questions on staffing issues, nursing turnover/vacancy rates and sign-on bonuses used by agencies to attract new employees. The Home Care Report will be published in October and the Hospice Report will be published in November. There is no cost to participate and participants who would like to purchase the published report will save over 50% off the report price.
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IHCA is now accepting nominations for its 2027 cabinets, committees and advisory councils through Aug. 31, 2026. Members are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to help shape the association’s advocacy, education, quality initiatives and member services while building leadership experience and professional connections.
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Iowa Total Care has cancelled its in-person Provider Summit on Aug. 27. Providers are encouraged to attend one of the virtual Provider Summits on Sept. 10. Each virtual summit will feature key updates, educational sessions and plenty of opportunities to connect directly with subject matter experts from across Iowa Total Care.
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The 2026 Home Care and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies submissions are due Aug. 10. The reports are recognized as the authoritative source for comprehensive marketplace data for home health and hospice agencies. Both studies include questions on staffing issues, nursing turnover/vacancy rates and sign-on bonuses used by agencies to attract new employees. The Home Care Report will be published in October and Hospice Report will be published in November. There is no cost to participate and participants who would like to purchase the published report will save over 50% off the report price.
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This week, the IHCA Foundation awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to 32 Iowans preparing for and advancing their careers in long-term care. Recipients include current long-term care professionals, high school seniors planning to enter the field and individuals from rural Iowa communities. Scholarships help to cover the cost of education and training, equipping recipients with knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care for Iowans. The IHCA Foundation is proud to recognize their achievements and celebrate the positive impact each recipient has on residents, families and communities across Iowa and is thankful for partnerships with Care Initiatives, Iowa Total Care, MolinaCares and the John R. and Zelda Z. Grubb Charitable Foundation Endowment Fund, whose support helps prepare the next generation of long-term care professionals serving older Iowans.
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Whether you're looking for fresh leadership ideas, clinical best practices or practical strategies you can put to work immediately, the IHCA Convention and Trade Show offers education designed for every member of the long-term care team. The IHCA Convention and Trade Show will feature more than 40 educational sessions led by industry experts and leaders. Attendees can personalize their learning experience by selecting sessions that align with their roles and interests while earning up to 16.0 contact hours
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IHCA's Convention and Trade Show on Sept. 14-16, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., is Iowa's largest gathering of long-term care professionals and offers more than 40 education sessions, over 90 trade show exhibitors, and up to 16.0 contact hours. Early bird registration ends this Friday, July 17.
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Several of Iowa’s licensing boards have recently received reports of scammers calling licensees and posing as board investigators, claiming to have received complaints against that licensee. If a potential scam victim believes a caller could be from a licensing board but is unsure, they should take a name, hang up and call the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL). Anyone who receives a suspicious call should protect their confidential information and not engage with anyone claiming to be an Iowa licensing board staff member until they can confirm via return call that the request is legitimate.
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The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) will offer a free webinar, "How Does Primary State of Residence Impact the Multistate License?," next Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. Additionally, the NLC will host another complimentary webinar regarding multistate licenses for LPNs/VNs in late August.
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With the 2026 election quickly approaching, long-term care providers can play a significant role in helping residents exercise their right to vote. Every election, seniors and other residents have a right to make their voices heard, and providers should make every effort to help them in doing so, including completing prior research, providing resources and assisting residents in following federal regulations, registering to vote and voting at the polls or via mail-in ballot.
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IHCA's Convention and Trade Show on Sept. 14-16, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., is Iowa's largest gathering of long-term care professionals and offers more than 40 education sessions, over 90 trade show exhibitors, and up to 16.0 contact hours. Early bird registration ends next Friday, July 17.
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On July 1, CMS issued the calendar year (CY) 2027 Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Rate Update; Requirements for the HH Quality Reporting Program and the Expanded HH Value-Based Purchasing Model; Medicare Provider Enrollment, Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and DME, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies Policies proposed rule. CMS has also released a fact sheet accompanying the proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule are due by Aug. 31, 2026. The overall impact of the rule is an estimated $420 million increase in payments relative to CY 2026.
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CMS is proposing new safeguards, continuing its campaign mission to crush fraud, waste and abuse throughout its programs. The calendar year (CY) 2027 Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule would strengthen CMS’ ability to recover improper payments and remove noncompliant providers and suppliers from Medicare, actions estimated to save approximately $82 million in annual savings. This would also expand access for patients receiving care at home and improve the timeliness of publicly reported HH agency quality information. Although included in the CY 2027 HH PPS proposed rule, the provider enrollment provisions would apply across Medicare provider and supplier types. IHCA anticipates these proposed changes would have nominal impact on SNF providers.
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The July 2026 Wellpoint Provider Newsletter is now available. Newsletter items include clinical criteria updates, prior authorization (PA) requirement changes, provider data attestation reminder, service line limits for Medicare Advantage (MA) claims and more.
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IHCA's Convention and Trade Show on Sept. 14-16, sponsored by Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc., is Iowa's largest gathering of long-term care professionals and offers more than 40 education sessions, over 90 trade show exhibitors, and up to 16.0 contact hours. Early bird registration ends July 17, and all applications for registration grants from the IHCA Foundation are due today, July 1, by 11:59 p.m.
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Iowa Total Care's 2026 Provider Summit Series is an opportunity to receive updates, educational sessions and expert guidance on topics including claims, contracting, authorizations and provider programs. Attend the in-person summit in West Des Moines on Aug. 27 or participate virtually on Sept. 10 to connect directly with Iowa Total Care subject matter experts and get your questions answered.
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IHCA's advocacy isn't measured only by the bills that pass – it's also reflected in the harmful legislation that never becomes law. Since 2020, the association has helped defeat more than two dozen proposals that would have increased costs, added regulatory burdens or reduced provider flexibility, including several key measures during the 2026 legislative session. Learn how these efforts protect providers and why member engagement will be critical as lawmakers begin shaping 2027 priorities.
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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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The Q1 2026 survey risk briefing for home health report is now available on the IHCA website. This report is a member-only resource that provides listings of the most frequently cited tags and regulatory outcomes from Iowa agencies. Please share this report with the individuals at your organization involved with managing survey success, as it is a helpful resource when planning for future surveys.
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On Thursday, June 11, IHCA hosted its monthly Home Care Provider Update Call to discuss the most recent changes and updates for the home health and home care professions. Conversation covered supported community living services, clarification on Medicare skilled nursing services, quarterly survey results review, upcoming education opportunities and more.
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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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The Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) has announced that the 2026 Home Care and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies are now underway, with a submission deadline of Aug. 10. The reports are recognized as the authoritative source for comprehensive marketplace data for home health and hospice agencies. Both studies include questions on staffing issues, nursing turnover/vacancy rates and sign-on bonuses used by agencies to attract new employees. The Home Care Report will be published in October and Hospice Report will be published in November. There is no cost to participate and participants who would like to purchase the published report will save over 50% off the report price.
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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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The Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) has announced that the 2026 Home Care and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies are now underway, with a submission deadline of Aug. 10. The reports are recognized as the authoritative source for comprehensive marketplace data for home health and hospice agencies. Both studies include questions on staffing issues, nursing turnover/vacancy rates and sign-on bonuses used by agencies to attract new employees. The Home Care Report will be published in October and Hospice Report will be published in November. There is no cost to participate and participants who would like to purchase the published report will save over 50% off the report price.
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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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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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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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On Thursday, May 14, IHCA hosted its monthly Home Care Provider Update Call to discuss the most recent changes and updates for the home health and home care professions. Conversation covered home care policy updates, supportive community living services, electronic visit verification updates, upcoming education opportunities and more.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has clarified that billing for 24-hour supported community living (SCL) services and home health aide (HHA) services during the same time period is not permitted under applicable Home- and Community-Based Services waiver requirements. According to guidance provided to IHCA, this change took effect June 1, 2026, for both fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid and managed care organizations (MCOs).
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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 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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CMS has released an updated Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Coverage Guide to help states deliver the full scope of care for children covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. This guide compiles decades of guidance in one place and serves as a technical assistance tool for state EPSDT staff.
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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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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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Effective May 12, 2026, home health agencies (HHAs) must begin using the updated Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Form CMS-R-131 with the new expiration date of March 31, 2029. The previous ABN form version (expiration date Jan. 31, 2026) is no longer valid for notices issued on or after May 12, 2026. Although the updated form includes readability and formatting enhancements, the purpose, content and instructions for use remain largely unchanged.
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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 Thursday, April 23, IHCA hosted its monthly Home Care Provider Update Call to discuss the most recent changes and updates for the home health and home care professions. Conversation covered Medicare claims audit updates, legislative outcomes, reimbursement issues, regulatory updates, IHCA Foundation scholarship opportunities and more.
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IHCA has been actively engaged with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to advocate on behalf of members regarding the interpretation of supported community living and home health aide services in group home settings. Iowa DHHS has issued guidance outlining its interpretation and expectations moving forward.
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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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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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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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Electronic visit verification (EVV) continues to be an important requirement for providers delivering Medicaid-funded services — but we know implementation hasn’t been without challenges. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is actively seeking provider feedback on issues related to EVV. Please share your feedback with the Iowa Medicaid EVV team by this Friday, April 24.
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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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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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Electronic visit verification (EVV) continues to be an important requirement for providers delivering Medicaid-funded services — but we know implementation hasn’t been without challenges. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is actively seeking provider feedback on issues related to EVV. Please share your feedback with the Iowa Medicaid EVV team by Friday, April 24.
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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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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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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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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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On Thursday, March 12, IHCA held its monthly Home Care Provider Update Call to discuss important developments in home health and home care. Conversation covered the OASIS E-2 system, changes to patient care measures and surveys, key bills moving through state legislature, Spring Conference announcements and medication error reporting and denials.
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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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CMS has officially published the final versions of the OASIS E-2 data set, OASIS E-2 manual and OASIS E-2 Q&A documents. OASIS-E2 is scheduled for implementation on April 1, 2026. Minor differences between the drafted and the finalized data set include typo corrections, a revised definition and a citation addition.
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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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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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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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Home health agencies are evaluated on their ability to prevent hospitalizations during care and for 31 days after discharge through the Potentially Preventable Hospitalization (PPH) and Discharge to Community Post-Acute Care measures. Agencies can improve performance by strengthening case management, enhancing patient and caregiver education, promoting timely communication, optimizing medication management and incorporating strategic touch points, including post-discharge follow-up. Provider Insights has provided a script for post-discharge check-in calls to assist in identifying risks after discharge.
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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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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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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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