Money moves
Medicare Advantage Prior Auth Denials for SNF Stays Hit 14.8%
KFF analysis shows MA plan prior authorization denial rates for SNF admissions reached 14.8% in 2025, with an overturn rate of 78% on appeal, suggesting systematic over-denial.
Workforce
DOL Awards $42M in Grants for CNA Training Pipelines
The Department of Labor announced $42M in competitive grants targeting CNA training programs in underserved areas, with priority given to partnerships between SNFs and community colleges.
Heads up
CMS Adds 340 Facilities to Special Focus Facility Candidate List
CMS updated its SFF candidate list, adding 340 facilities with persistent poor performance on health inspections, bringing the total candidate pool to 1,580 nationwide.
Deal watch
ProMedica Agrees to Sell 16 Ohio SNFs to Regional Operator for $178M
ProMedica, still restructuring after its HCR ManorCare integration, agreed to sell 16 facilities totaling 1,920 beds to Ohio-based Foundations Health Solutions.
The bottom line
MA denials keep climbing and keep getting overturned, CNA training money is flowing from DOL, and ProMedica continues to shed beds.