May 13 Newsletter

 

 

 

 

May 13, 2026

 

Celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week!

Residents and caregivers across Michigan and the rest of the country are celebrating National Skilled Nursing Care Week. We are honored to recognize the dedication, compassion and professionalism of skilled nursing care teams who, every day, make a meaningful difference in the lives of their residents!

Below: Michigan State University’s official mascot – Sparty – spent time with the residents and staff at Dimondale Nursing Care Center cheering them on and celebrating Sports Day!

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Join Us to Advocate for Long-Term Care in Michigan

HCAM’s Legislative Day at the Capitol will be June 23. This is an exclusive membership opportunity to help shape long-term care policy, discuss key issues and network with Michigan’s top policymakers. Registration is open now.

Why Should You Attend? This event is an easy way to get engaged with legislative advocacy. Your story matters, and your voice should be heard. HCAM fiercely advocates on behalf of the LTC sector in Michigan on the issues that matter most, and this event is your opportunity to highlight the challenges providers face, discuss ways to overcome them and build valuable connections that will help strengthen the sector. 

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Nursing Facility Touchpoint Meeting June 11

The next Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) touchpoint meeting is June 11 from 11 am to 12 pm. To register, please click here.

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Updated Medicaid Provider Manual is Now Available

The Medicaid Provider Manual is updated on a quarterly basis.  The updated manual is available here. You may additionally sign up for Medicaid Manual email updates here. Providers should be sure to review the following chapters in the updated manual:

♦ General Information for Providers
♦ Nursing Facility Coverages
♦ Nursing Facility Certification, Survey and Enforcement Appendix
♦ Nursing Facility Cost Reporting and Reimbursement Appendix
♦ Nursing Facility Level of Care Determination 

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Upcoming Outages
♦ Due to emergency release the CHAMPS system will be unavailable between 6 pm Saturday, May 16, through 9 am EST Sunday, May 17. This outage will affect system access for all functions. Questions? Email Provider Support or call (800) 292-2550.  
♦ File Transfer Service and UnixOS Support, will be unavailable May 17 from 7: am to 1 pm EST. Please refrain from submitting electronic files during this time. Billing agents or submitters with additional questions can email [email protected] if you require further assistance. 

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HCAM Attends CMS Region 5 Meeting (SNF)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has resumed Region 5 meetings with state affiliate staff from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The meetings enable state affiliates to discuss specific challenges our region is experiencing and better understand CMS Region 5 priorities.

Recently, the state affiliates discussed CMS’s delay in issuing Imposition of Remedies and Substantial Compliance letters, as well as inconsistencies of survey results throughout the region. CMS shared their staffing challenges contributing to delays in disseminating letters and their efforts for increased consistency with Federal Oversight Surveys, quarterly meetings the State Survey Agency Directors, and auditing of immediate jeopardy citations.

CMS Region 5 had the opportunity to share their priorities which focus on having Special Focus Facilities graduate from the SFF Program

CMS also shared some reminders and notices for us to share with our members:

♦ The 35% reduction in Civil Money Penalties occurs automatically if a provider does not appeal the deficiency. Providers no longer have to specifically request the 35% reduction.
♦ Region 5 is working with State Survey Agencies to ensure their letters provided to facilities are consistent and standardized.
♦ When a facility has a change in Administrator, make sure iQIES is updated.
♦ CMS recommends creating a general ([email protected]) email to ensure Administrators are receiving important communications from CMS after turnover.
♦ Region 5 shared that unpaid CMP’s accrue interest on a monthly basis.

Resuming meetings with CMS Region 5 is a positive step that allows for a more direct line of communication between the association and federal regulators. At this time, these meetings will occur on a semi-annual basis. HCAM will keep you updated as more specific information becomes available from future sessions.

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Upcoming Deadlines! (SNF)

Payroll-Based Journal Data: PBJ reporting data is due May 15 for Quarter 2. Submit your data early to avoid any timing or technical issues. As you prepare your submission, please remember

♦ All PBJ XML files must be submitted using Version 4.10.0. 
♦ Any XML file submitted using a prior version will be rejected. 
♦ Ensure Medical Director’s hours are accurate.
♦Audit and verify your data before submission

SNF QRP Submission: The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) data is due by 11:59 pm May 18. The list of measures required for this deadline can be found on the CMS SNF QRP website.  It is recommended that providers run applicable Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES)/NHSN analysis reports prior to each reporting deadline, to ensure that all required data has been submitted. Recommended iQIES reports include The SNF QRP Provider Threshold Report and The SNF QRP Review and Correct Report. More information about how to run these reports in iQIES may be found in the CMS iQIES Reports User Manual. 

NHSN: HCP Flu Vaccine Data: Nursing facilities must report staff influenza (flu) vaccination data to CDC’s NHSN system as part of the SNF QRP by 11:59 pm May 18. What to report: One report covering the full flu season (October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026)  

Key Reminders 

♦ Don’t wait: Submit your data as soon as possible to avoid last-minute issues.  
♦ Use the correct form:  

    • Submit through the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Summary Form  
    • ​Do not use the optional Seasonal Survey  

After You Submit: Make sure your data was entered correctly: 

♦ Save proof (print or screenshot your submission)  
♦ Run the CMS Report Line Listing – HCP Flu Vaccination Data for CMS SNF PPS in NHSN

Penalty for missing the deadline: There will be a 2% reduction in Medicare payments beginning October 1, 2026. SNF QRP requirement questions? Email [email protected].

Nursing Facility License: The 2026-2027 state licensing renewal cycle for skilled nursing facilities is now open. The state is strongly requesting that renewals be completed by July 31, 2026. The renewal process is completed through using a credit card or electronic check for payment of the licensing fees.  Do not mail paper checks to the department for license renewal fees.

To renew a nursing facility license, please use the following process:

  1. Go to BCHSeLicense or https://apps.lara.state.mi.us/eLicense/
  2. Enter the State License Number listed above and select the “Search for License” button.  Note, all license numbers are a ten-digit number that start with 1070. 
  3. Select the “Continue to Summary” button.
  4. Select the “Continue to Fees” button.
  5. Select the “$ Pay Fees in CEPAS” button.
  6. Follow the prompts to provide electronic payment information for the license renewal fee.
  7. Print the receipt for the payment, this is the only opportunity to print a receipt for the payment.

Please note that both renewal sites will shut down on August 1, 2026, in preparation for the release of MI-SLS, the new state licensing database. Any license not renewed by July 31, 2026, will have to wait for the release of the MI-SLS to complete license renewal in late August. During this time when MI-SLS is not available, any license not renewed will be expired with a status of lapsed on the department web page without the ability to renew the license.

Questions? Email Long-Term-Care State Licensing Section or call (877) 458-2757.

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Renew Your Homes for the Aged License

The 2026-2027 state licensing renewal cycle for Homes for Aged is now open. The state is strongly requesting that renewals be completed by July 31, 2026. The renewal process is completed through using a credit card or electronic check for payment of the licensing fees.  Do not mail paper checks to the department for license renewal fees.

To renew an HFA license, please use the following process:

  1. Go to https://www.thepayplace.com/MI/deleg/HFA
  2. Enter the License Number listed above and select the “Submit” button directly underneath. 
  3. Review “Your Information” to ensure that license number, facility name, and fee amount is correct for the license renewal payment.
  4. Choose the Method of Payment by clicking either pay by electronic check or pay by credit card.
  5. Follow the prompts to provide electronic payment information for the license renewal fee.
  6. Print the receipt for the payment, this is the only opportunity to print a receipt for the payment.

Please note that both renewal sites will shut down on August 1, 2026, in preparation for the release of MI-SLS, the new state licensing database. Any license not renewed by July 31, 2026, will have to wait for the release of the MI-SLS to complete license renewal in late August. During this time when MI-SLS is not available, any license not renewed will be expired with a status of lapsed on the department web page without the ability to renew the license.

Questions? Email Long-Term-Care State Licensing Section or call (877) 458-2757.

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