State Recognizes High-Quality Nursing Homes
(Jan. 6, 2026) Three out of every four, or 75% of, nursing homes recognized by NYS for top quality were operated by not-for-profit organizations or governmental entities. This despite the fact that not-for-profit and public homes represent only 33% of overall homes in the state. The bad news for New Yorkers is that four of these homes have recently closed, while three are being sold, a fate that is becoming more common among quality providers. That means that 15% of the state’s highest-quality nursing homes as determined by the Department of Health (DOH) because they scored in the top tier of the State’s Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI) for three years in a row will be no more.
The Department finalized the 2024 NHQI scores and posted final score sheets for providers to access on the Health Commerce System (HCS) in early December. On Dec. 30th, DOH posted the scores publicly. As has been the case in prior years, not-for-profit and public homes scored markedly better than their peers on the 2024 NHQI, which was based on more than a dozen 2023 performance measures. Nearly 80% of not-for-profit and public homes fell into the top three quintiles, compared to 50% of for-profit facilities. While the NHQI adds no additional funding, but redistributes existing Medicaid dollars, higher performers see a modest increase, while those with lower scores face a negative payment adjustment. While it is unclear when DOH will process the payment adjustments, judging on last year’s timing, it may not be until March.
We congratulate members who scored well and will continue our work to ensure adequate funding to preserve quality nursing home care in the state.
Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841