Money moves
Medicaid DSH Cuts Delayed Again Until April 2026
Congress included a provision in the year-end spending package delaying Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts until April 2026, giving SNFs dependent on DSH-funded hospitals a reprieve.
On the radar
CMS Plans Spring 2026 Rulemaking on MA Prior Auth Reforms
CMS signaled it will issue a proposed rule in spring 2026 requiring MA plans to respond to SNF prior authorization requests within 24 hours, down from the current 72-hour window.
Heads up
Winter Storm Exposes Emergency Prep Failures at 22 Midwest SNFs
A December ice storm knocked out power to 22 facilities across Kansas and Missouri, with 8 requiring emergency evacuations due to non-functional backup generators.
Operations
Year-End M&A Volume on Track for 420 SNF Transactions in 2025
LevinPro data projects 420 SNF transactions for full-year 2025, up from 385 in 2024, with the average deal size rising to $9.2M from $7.8M.
The bottom line
Congress gave a holiday gift on DSH cuts, CMS is eyeing MA prior auth speed mandates, and deal volume keeps climbing toward a post-pandemic record.