Money moves
Georgia Medicaid Unveils Quality-Linked Payment Model for SNFs
Georgia's Medicaid agency proposed a new payment model tying 8% of SNF reimbursement to quality metrics including staffing, rehospitalization, and resident satisfaction scores.
Policy watch
Federal Court Hears Oral Arguments on Staffing Mandate Challenge
A federal district court in Texas heard oral arguments in the AHCA-led challenge to CMS's staffing mandate, with a ruling expected within 60 days.
Heads up
CDC Reports Flu-Related Deaths in SNFs Up 28% From Last Season
CDC surveillance data through January 10 shows 1,840 flu-related deaths in SNFs this season, up 28% from the same period last year, with vaccination rates at 72%.
Technology
AI-Powered Fall Prevention Systems Show 40% Reduction in Incidents
A 50-facility pilot of SafeStep AI found that predictive fall risk algorithms reduced total falls by 40% and fall-related injuries by 53% over a six-month trial.
The bottom line
Georgia is joining the quality-linked payment wave, the staffing mandate's fate is now in a judge's hands, and flu season is hitting SNFs harder than usual.