August 19 Newsletter

 

 

 

 

August 19, 2026

 

HCAM Convention & Expo is September 14-16!
Register Now to Dive In

If you are looking for practical solutions, fresh ideas, leadership insight and valuable connections, the HCAM Convention is where Michigan long-term care comes together.

With over 30 educational and motivational sessions – including keynotes on authentic leadership, navigating challenging moments, and leading with authority and impact – you don’t want to miss this deep dive into what really moves long-term care. 

Be sure to check out this video from Monday’s Keynote Speaker Mimi Brown!

This year’s event brings together:
✅Forward-thinking education
✅Timely LTC sector discussions
✅Powerful networking
✅Providers and vendors at Michigan’s premier LTC expo
✅Caregivers, families, friends and colleagues at the impactful Awards Luncheon
✅Opportunities to reconnect with peers and partners from across the state

Join us in person or virtually and leave with fresh insight, valuable connections, and renewed energy to make waves in your organization and across the profession. REGISTER HERE.

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AG Lawsuit Highlights Need for Accurate Reporting

The Michigan Attorney General recently announced a civil lawsuit against a nursing facility provider for Medicaid fraud. The lawsuit – details of which can be found on the AG website – alleges that the provider failed to meet required staffing minimums 96% of the time between 2020 and 2025. The civil suit alleges the operator knowingly provided substandard care that failed to meet minimum requirements, violating the Michigan Medicaid False Claims Act.

HCAM continues to monitor the lawsuit and may offer educational opportunities for members based on the areas under scrutiny, particularly self-reported staffing requirements.

The lawsuit also addresses related-party transactions, echoing claims in a Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI) report published last year. The report claims some providers conceal profits through payments to related parties. The AG’s lawsuit will examine these allegations. Legislation addressing several policy recommendations in the MEJI report will likely follow. HCAM maintains that oversight bodies already have tools to ensure Medicaid transparency and integrity. The association will continue educating policymakers about the existing oversight framework and engage on proposed legislation as appropriate.

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Direct Care Worker Reimbursement – Fiscal Year 2027 Updates

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a memo to skilled nursing facilities yesterday, August 18, 2026, regarding Direct Care Worker (DCW) Reimbursement – Fiscal Year 2027 Updates: 

The purpose of this memorandum is to communicate changes to the FY27 DCW reimbursement program.

Section 1643 in Public Act 21 of 2026 requires the department to discontinue the state general fund/general purpose revenue backfill of federal revenues available temporarily during the
COVID-19 public health emergency for skilled nursing facility services to individuals who are not enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program.

Because reimbursement is no longer provided for non-Medicaid hours, facilities will receive DCW and non-clinical wage add-on funding that reflects Medicaid-allowable time only. The
department will continue to maintain wage support at $3.40 for direct care Medicaid hours and $.85 for non-clinical Medicaid hours. Facilities are expected to incorporate these funds into their compensation practices in a manner consistent with the funding level received.

Further guidance on program implementation for FY27 will be provided soon.

HCAM continues to work with MDHHS on operationalizing the changes to the FY27 DCW program and will communicate more details as soon as they are available.

Additionally, HCAM has submitted a proposal to MDHHS that would incorporate the DCW funding into the FY 2027 Medicaid reimbursement rates, helping mitigate the cash flow impact of limiting supplemental payments to Medicaid days. We are meeting with MDHHS to discuss the proposal and will keep members apprised as progress is made. Please contact Mike Batts with any questions. 

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MDHHS Replaces DCH File Transfer with MOVEit

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has replaced DCH File Transfer with MOVEit — a secure, enterprise-grade Managed File Transfer software platform. The migration of areas, users, permissions and files from File Transfer to MOVEit was completed in early August.

MOVEit is an Invite-Only system. New third-party long-term care users must email [email protected] to request access to the platform. Upon request, DARS will create a MOVEit account using your email address and name and then grant access to the DNB-MDHHS-FTA Group, the Documentation folder and the requested folder. When this account is created, you will receive an email with a link to create a password for your account.

As part of the changeover process, MDHHS sent an email to existing users to establish a MOVEit password. To log into MOVEit, please visit and bookmark at https://mifts1.state.mi.us/. Reach out to the [email protected] mailbox if you need help. 

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Providers Must Keep CHAMPS Address Information Current

As a reminder, providers are required to keep the address listed in their CHAMPS Provider Enrollment information up to date. To update or modify address information on file refer to instructions on the Provider Enrollment webpage.

As outlined within the Medicaid Provider Manual, General Information for Providers Chapter, SECTION 3 – MAINTENANCE OF PROVIDER INFORMATION:

Providers must notify MDHHS via the on-line system within 35 days of any change to their enrollment information. Examples of such changes include, but are not limited to, changing the address(es) to which RAs and/or correspondence are sent. When MDHHS receives returned mail, providers may be contacted to update their address information in CHAMPS by submitting a provider modification. Failure to keep provider enrollment information up to date may result in claim denials or have impacts on payment.

Providers with additional questions should email [email protected] or call (800) 292-2550.

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CMS/MDHHS To Collect Outstanding Civil Monetary Penalties

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to collect outstanding Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs). In accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 448.442(c), CMS will provide MDHHS with unpaid balance(s) and accrued interest. Impacted facilities will be notified by letter and provided 30 days to make payment to MDHHS Collections. Failure to pay may result in additional collections activity including processing gross adjustments through the MDHHS LTC Reimbursement and Rate Setting Section (RARSS).

Please Note: If the collection of your outstanding civil money penalty has been transferred to MDHHS, RARSS will send you a formal notice through the MOVEit File Transfer Application.

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CMS Posts New MDS Section K Assessment and Coding Essentials Course

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering web-based training that provides an overview of Section K of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The course reviews the purpose, assessment steps, coding instructions, coding tips, key definitions and calculation methods for accurately assessing and coding Section K items. Email the PAC Training Mailbox with questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding training. Submit content-related questions to the SNF QRP Help Desk. 

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Joint Provider Surveyor Training Registration Open (SNF)

The Bureau of Survey and Certification announced that registration for the virtual Fall Joint Provider Surveyor Training (JPST) is now open. On September 22, JPST will address effective strategies and lessons learned in preventing resident-to-resident abuse in long-term care settings along with a look at ethical compliance programs. The last day to register is September 11. Questions? Email Marie Kone-Hadden at [email protected] or call (517) 643-7813.

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CMS Releases Surveyor Resources for the Risk-Based Survey (SNF)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) previously announced national implementation of the Risk-Based Survey in their QSO-26-14-NH memo. The process will be implemented nationwide beginning September 8, 2026. To help you prepare, CMS released surveyor resources (Zip file) on August 13. Items are included in the folder to help both surveyors and eligible facilities: 
♦ RBS IP Care Areas and Probes 
♦ RBS Pathways (Critical Element Pathways) 
♦ RBS CMS-802 
♦ RBS Entrance Conference Form 
♦ RBS Facility Tasks Job Aid 
♦ RBS Mapping Document Streamlined 
♦ RBS Procedure Guide 
♦ RBS Screening Job Aid 

Watch for details about an upcoming Risk-Based Survey expansion webinar from the American Health Care Association.

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New CDC HAI Tool, CaseTrace, Now Available (SNF/AL)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new resource to support healthcare-associated infection (HAI) outbreak investigations. CaseTrace is a free, browser-based tool designed to help outbreak investigators and health care facilities understand resident movement within and across health care settings. It maps potential resident exposures to an HAI pathogen using a timeline graphic to help investigators identify potential transmission events with greater detail than a traditional linelist review.

To use CaseTrace, investigators upload an anonymized resident linelist using a provided template. The tool then generates:
♦ Interactive visualizations of patient stays over time and by location. 
♦ Event timelines showing when patients tested positive, received treatment or experienced an outcome of interest. 
♦ Summary and detailed tables of overlapping patient stays, available for download. 

CaseTrace requires no software installation and works in any web browser. The tool, a downloadable linelist template and a user manual are available here.

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BCHS Modernizes Plan Review Submissions (SNF/AL)

Effective October 1, 2026, the Health Facilities Engineering Section within the Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS) will only accept online construction plan reviews. Recall that BCHS is required (MCL 333.20145) to perform construction plan reviews for state licensed health facilities (nursing facilities, homes for the aged, hospice residents, hospitals, freestanding psychiatric hospitals and surgery centers). The bureau has historically accepted both paper and electronic construction plans; however, effective October 1, 2026, the Health Facilities Engineering Section (HFES) within BCHS will only accept plans electronically. The intent is to streamline the plan review process and improve review/response times through an online submission process. If your organization needs assistance with this change, please contact [email protected].

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AHCA National Quality Awards Intent to Apply Portal is Now Open (SNF/AL)

​The 2027 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Portal is now open. If you are interested in applying, submit your Intent to Apply by November 12, 2026, at 8 pm ET. Organizations that submit an Intent to Apply will receive valuable benefits, including:
♦ A discounted application fee.
♦ Dedicated email communications throughout the application cycle.
♦ Access to exclusive educational resources, including webinars featuring application tips, best practices and reminders to help guide you through the application process.

Participating in the National Quality Award Program offers far more than recognition. The application process provides a proven framework for evaluating your organization’s performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving meaningful quality outcomes. It also serves as an excellent team-building opportunity, engaging staff at every level in a shared commitment to excellence. Whether you’re beginning your Quality Award journey or advancing to the next award level, you are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available and submit your Intent to Apply before November 12. 

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CMS Removes COVID-19 HCP Vaccination Measure (SNF)

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the removal of the Healthcare Personnel (HCP) COVID-19 Vaccination measure from the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) in the FY 2027 SNF Prospective Payment System Final Rule. As a result, nursing facilities are no longer required to report calendar year 2026 HCP COVID-19 Vaccination measure data for the FY 2028 payment determination. SNFs that do not report this data will not be penalized through the FY 2028 annual payment update under the SNF QRP. 

CMS has also updated their SNF QRP Data Collection and Final Submission Deadlines for FY2028 SNF QRP document to reflect this change. 

Other NHSN Reporting Still Required
Removing this measure does not end other NHSN reporting requirements for nursing facilities. Facilities should continue: 
♦ Weekly respiratory illness reporting through NHSN, including required resident information related to COVID-19, influenza and RSV. 
♦ HCP influenza vaccination reporting, which remains a separate SNF QRP requirement. 
♦ Any state-specific NHSN reporting requirements, including any requirements for reporting COVID-19 HCP data. 

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Stay Informed! Upcoming FREE Webinars for Assisted Living Providers

Turn Your Dining Program into a Marketing Tool: AUG. 25 | 2-3 PM ET | LIVE ZOOM
FREE REGISTRATION 

If residents love your food, you should be shouting that from the rooftop! While traditional marketing and social media efforts tend to focus on residents, activities, amenities, care and special events, they don’t often include everyday dining options and your focus on nutrition. Senior living operators have a chance to thrill current residents and entice new residents and their families with updated dining programs and a strong marketing presence. Join this 60-minute presentation to market a senior living dining and nutrition program, including food and design trends, the use of AI and robotics in dining/marketing, social media best practices and more!

Fire Safety and Evacuation – Best Practices for Assisted Living Providers : SEPT. 1  | 2-3 PM ET | LIVE ZOOM
FREE REGISTATION

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is pleased to welcome speaker David Hood from Jensen Hughes for a one-hour program that will focus on best practices and regulatory expectations for AL fire safety and evacuation planning.  You’ll learn the essential elements of an effective and compliant fire safety program including staffing levels, building features, resident capability, training, drills, and coordination with the local fire department. This is timely: Using lessons learned from recent fires, this program will highlight common compliance challenges, documentation and training requirements, and practical steps providers can take to strengthen your fire safety programs, protect residents and reduce organizational risk.

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