The document includes information on the Hospice Special Focus Program, revisions to surveyor guidance for home health agencies, revised facility assessment guidance for nursing homes, new guidance on the use of enhanced barrier precautions in long-term care, updates to Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, new surveyor skills review assessments, and an announcement regarding the risk-based survey process in long-term care.

Nursing homes affected by the lift will be notified via the Provider Preview Report.

Nursing homes urged to review updated resources from CMS and LeadingAge NY.

CMS will update Care Compare to reflect changes based on findings from PBJ and schizophrenia coding audits, as well as SFF status, on Sept. 24, 2025. All other information will continue to be based on the July 30, 2025 refresh, including health inspection star ratings.

Updated measure delayed from October 2025 Nursing Home Care Compare refresh to January 2026 refresh.

The webinar on urinary tract infections in long-term care settings will take place from 12-1 p.m. Pre-registration is available here.

Per CMS, the date the facility receives the SOD is considered Day 0, and Day 1 is the first full calendar day following receipt of the SOD, meaning that the facility has a complete 10 calendar days to respond.

The pause will remain in effect until Oct. 29, 2025, when the next scheduled quarterly refresh is expected.