Money moves
CMS Posts Updated SNF PPS Pricer With 2026 Rate Tables
The January 2026 SNF PPS pricer is now live, reflecting the 4.0% net rate increase finalized in the FY2026 final rule, with updated urban and rural per diem rates.
Policy watch
AHCA Submits 140-Page Comment Letter Opposing PDPM Recalibration
The American Health Care Association filed a detailed comment letter arguing the proposed PDPM parity adjustment overstates excess payments by at least $800M due to outdated baseline data.
Heads up
CMS Survey Data Shows Immediate Jeopardy Citations Up 11% in 2025
Immediate jeopardy citations rose to 4,820 in 2025 from 4,340 in 2024, with elopement, medication errors, and abuse leading the most serious deficiency categories.
Operations
SNF Admissions From Hospital ERs Climb 8% as Observation Stays Shift
Hospital ER-to-SNF admissions grew 8% in Q4 2025 as hospitals increasingly convert observation stays to inpatient status under revised CMS guidance, benefiting SNF referral pipelines.
The bottom line
Updated rate tables are out, AHCA is fighting the PDPM clawback hard, and immediate jeopardy citations are trending in the wrong direction.