CMS recently announced enhancements to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident-Level Quality Measure report for the re-specified hybrid long-stay antipsychotic measure Percent of Residents Who Received an Antipsychotic Medication. To assist nursing homes in understanding the reason the measure was triggered, or whether the resident was included or excluded from the measure, additional information has been added to the report. In addition to viewing whether the measure was triggered or not triggered, three additional data fields have been added to the report, along with referencing footnotes to explain the data.
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CMS is offering a web-based training that provides the latest information about the respecification of the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) Quality Measure (QM) for post-acute care (PAC) settings. The training provides an overview of the legacy and respecified FMI QM, discusses how the respecified measure includes both assessment and claims/encounter data in the respecified measure specifications and reviews key changes in PAC data collection guidance related to falls and injuries.
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The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will host the 2026 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference in Ames at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6. The mission of this conference is to support infection preventionists by focusing on trending topics, evidence-based best practices, resources for infection preventionists and the advancement of the infection prevention profession. New in 2026, this conference will have breakout sessions for long-term care professionals. Registration for this conference closes this Friday, April 24.
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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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With the January 2026 Care Compare refresh, the Long-Stay Antipsychotic Quality Measure now functions very differently, requiring nursing home leaders to adjust their strategies accordingly. Under the revised specifications, CMS shifted the measure from relying solely on Minimum Data Set Section N data to a hybrid model that incorporates Medicare and Medicaid claims and Medicare Advantage encounter data. The intent is to close long-standing reporting gaps, particularly those related to medications administered outside of the MDS seven-day look-back window or diagnoses that were not fully supported by claims data.
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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 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host the 2026 Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Conference in Ames at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6. The mission of this conference is to support infection preventionists by focusing on trending topics, evidence-based best practices, resources for infection preventionists and the advancement of the infection prevention profession. New in 2026, this conference will have breakout sessions for long-term care professionals.
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The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Quality Care, which recognizes nursing facilities, residential care facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities that demonstrate exceptional care and innovative efforts to enhance residents’ quality of life. Residents and family members may submit nominations by this Sunday, March 1, using DIAL’s paper or online forms; facilities may not nominate themselves. IHCA encourages providers to actively promote the nomination opportunity to residents and families to increase awareness and participation.
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The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Quality Care, which recognizes nursing facilities, residential care facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities that demonstrate exceptional care and innovative efforts to enhance residents’ quality of life. Residents and family members may submit nominations by March 1, 2026, using DIAL’s paper or online forms; facilities may not nominate themselves. IHCA encourages providers to actively promote the nomination opportunity to residents and families to increase awareness and participation.
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The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Quality Care, which recognizes nursing facilities, residential care facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities that demonstrate exceptional care and innovative efforts to enhance residents’ quality of life. Residents and family members may submit nominations by March 1, 2026, using DIAL’s paper or online forms; facilities may not nominate themselves. IHCA encourages providers to actively promote the nomination opportunity to residents and families to increase awareness and participation.
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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 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and include performance data that will be publicly reported on Medicare’s Compare tool and the CMS Provider Data Catalog during the April 2026 refresh. The reports reflect quality measure data from various reporting periods, and providers have until Feb. 14, 2026, to review their information and request a CMS review if they believe scores are inaccurate. Only corrections made before the final data submission deadline will be reflected in the publicly reported data.
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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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CMS has released an updated Technical Users’ Guide for the Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System. Beginning with the January 2026 refresh, CMS will replace the current long-stay antipsychotic quality measure with a revised version that uses Medicare and Medicaid claims and Medicare Advantage encounter data in addition to MDS data. The new measure will use decile-based scoring cut points based on provider performance data from Quarter 3, 2024 through Quarter 2, 2025, with details outlined in CMS Memorandum QSO-25-20-NH Revised.
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CMS has reported a known issue in the iQIES MDS 3.0 Resident-Level Quality Measure Report following the addition of the revised Percent of Long-Stay Residents Who Received an Antipsychotic Medication measure. When users run the report with an End Date on or after Oct. 1, 2025, the report footnote incorrectly displays the three-month reporting period, even though the data shown reflects Q3 2025 (07/01/2025–09/30/2025). CMS posted an expected resolution date of Jan. 20, 2026.
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The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available for provider review. These reports include quality measure performance scores that will be publicly reported on Medicare.gov’s Compare tool and the Provider Data Catalog during the April 2026 refresh. The data reflect multiple reporting periods across assessment, vaccination, claims-based and healthcare-associated infection measures. Providers have until Feb. 14, 2026 to review their reports and request a CMS review if they believe the displayed scores are inaccurate. Only corrections made to underlying assessment data prior to the final submission deadline will be reflected in publicly reported data. Reports can be accessed through iQIES, and assistance is available through the iQIES Service Center or CMS SNF QRP support.
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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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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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The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Award for Quality Care, which recognizes nursing facilities, residential care facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities that demonstrate exceptional care and innovative efforts to enhance residents’ quality of life. Residents and family members may submit nominations by March 1, 2026, using DIAL’s paper or online forms; facilities may not nominate themselves. IHCA encourages providers to actively promote the nomination opportunity to residents and families to increase awareness and participation.
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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.
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IHCA is offering a Bronze Quality Award Workshop this upcoming Tuesday, Dec. 2, sponsored by Blue Stone Therapy and Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy. This hybrid workshop will guide participants through the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award application process while providing expert coaching and strategies for driving organizational performance. This workshop offers 5.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers. New this year, participants can opt for a one-time application review by IHCA’s quality experts for personalized feedback before submission.
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Missing the National Quality Award Program’s Intent to Apply (ITA) deadline doesn’t prevent organizations from applying, since the ITA is optional and full applications aren’t due until Jan. 22, 2026. IHCA is offering a final Bronze Application Workshop on Dec. 2, with in-person and virtual attendance options, plus an optional application review to help providers strengthen their submissions.
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IHCA is offering a Bronze Quality Award Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 2, sponsored by Blue Stone Therapy and Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy. This hybrid workshop will guide participants through the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award application process while providing expert coaching and strategies for driving organizational performance. This workshop offers 5.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers. New this year, participants can opt for a one-time application review by IHCA’s quality experts for personalized feedback before submission.
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This is your last chance to submit your Intent to Apply (ITA) for the 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. All ITAs must be submitted through the Quality Award Portal no later than tomorrow, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m. CST. Submitting an ITA gives organizations access to discounted application fees, exclusive resources and valuable support tools to strengthen their Quality Award applications. Data from AHCA shows that participating facilities achieve stronger outcomes — including higher Five-Star ratings, improved care quality and reduced turnover — making this the ideal first step in your quality journey.
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IHCA is offering a Bronze Quality Award Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 2, sponsored by Blue Stone Therapy and Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy. This hybrid workshop will guide participants through the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award application process while providing expert coaching and strategies for driving organizational performance. This workshop offers 5.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers. New this year, participants can opt for a one-time application review by IHCA’s quality experts for personalized feedback before submission.
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Take the next step in your quality journey this Friday, Nov. 7, at IHCA’s Silver Quality Award Workshop, sponsored by Blue Stone Therapy and Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy, in partnership with Geoffrey Calhoun of Calhoun Consulting Partners, LLC. Participants should complete the introductory webinar and come prepared with preliminary materials to use during the session. The workshop will be held at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale and is approved for 6.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers.
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The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is seeking professionals to serve as Silver and Gold Examiners for the 2026 award cycle, with applications due tomorrow, Nov. 6. Examiners play a key role in evaluating long-term care centers nationwide using the Baldrige Performance Excellence framework, helping improve quality systems and outcomes across the profession. Participants gain valuable experience in performance excellence, networking and professional growth while contributing to a national effort to elevate care standards.
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The 2026 National Quality Award Intent to Apply (ITA) deadline is coming up next Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m. CST. Submitting an ITA gives organizations access to discounted application fees, exclusive resources and valuable support tools to strengthen their Quality Award applications. Data from AHCA shows that participating facilities achieve stronger outcomes — including higher Five-Star ratings, improved care quality and reduced turnover — making this the ideal first step in your quality journey.
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Take the next step in your quality journey next Friday, Nov. 7, at IHCA’s Silver Quality Award Workshop, sponsored by Blue Stone Therapy and Right Dose, A Guardian Pharmacy, in partnership with Geoffrey Calhoun of Calhoun Consulting Partners, LLC. With expert coaching and practical guidance, participants will break down the Silver criteria, explore how to write a strong application and gain insights on how to tell their quality improvement story effectively. This workshop will be held at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale and is approved for 6.0 contact hours for nurses, nursing facility administrators and assisted living managers. To register, please email the names of those attending from your facility to Brenda Irlbeck, VP, Regulatory Affairs, at
[email protected].
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Is your nursing facility or assisted living program committed to delivering high-quality care and enhancing the lives of residents/tenants? The National Quality Award Program invites you to take the first step in your quality improvement journey by applying for the Bronze Award. Start your journey with the Bronze Award and showcase your organization’s commitment to quality care and performance improvement. The 2026 Intent to Apply (ITA) process is open and available through the Quality Award Portal. Submitting your ITA by Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, gives you access to exclusive resources and a discounted application fee.
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Are you passionate about improving the quality of care in long-term and post-acute settings? The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is inviting dedicated professionals to apply as Silver and Gold Examiners for the 2026 cycle. The Examiner application will close next Thursday, Nov. 6.
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