Money moves
CMS Proposes Reducing SNF Therapy Payment Caps by 5% in FY2027
CMS proposed lowering the per-patient therapy payment thresholds under PDPM by 5% for FY2027, arguing current caps overcompensate relative to actual therapy costs.
Workforce
International Nurse Recruitment to SNFs Jumps 45% in 2025
Visa data shows SNFs sponsored 8,200 international nurses in 2025, up 45% from 2024, with the Philippines, Nigeria, and India as the top three source countries.
Heads up
OIG Report Flags Infection Control Gaps in 30% of Surveyed Facilities
A new OIG report found 30% of surveyed SNFs had significant infection control deficiencies, with hand hygiene compliance averaging just 58% during unannounced observations.
Technology
CMS Awards $18M for SNF Cybersecurity Improvement Grants
CMS announced $18M in competitive grants to help SNFs upgrade cybersecurity infrastructure, citing a 62% increase in ransomware attacks targeting healthcare facilities in 2025.
The bottom line
CMS wants to trim therapy payments while infection control remains stubbornly problematic, and international recruitment is plugging staffing holes at record pace.