KDADS has issued the preliminary FY26 impact to Nursing Home Rates

Today during a rate setting call with KDADS and Myers and Stauffer, the preliminary FY26 impact to nursing home rates was released. The actual individual facility rate list will be released June 5, 2025 at the earliest or June 12, 2025 at the latest upon publication in the Kansas Register.

What we learned:

The drop off of 2021 cost report data and the addition of the 2024 cost report data pushed all four cost center limits up. The new statewide Medicaid average is $302.62 which is up from last July's average of $289.65. For those homes seeing a decrease in rates, the root cause as reported by Meyers and Stauffer is dropping off of 2021 cost report data, decline in direct healthcare costs and lower CMI due to PDPM. We will provide additional information as it is released to us. READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL 2025/2026 Future Leaders Program

I am pleased to announce Kevin Crowley, Regional Vice President with Diversicare Healthcare Services and Multifacility Vice President on the KHCA Board, has been selected to represent Kansas by participating in the nineteenth annual "Future Leaders of Long Term Care (LTC) in America" program hosted by the American Health Care Association (AHCA)/National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). Thirty-nine long term care professionals were selected. Kevin was nominated and selected because he exhibits leadership characteristics at the state level that prepare him to serve in future leadership positions within AHCA/NCAL. 

Over a 12-month period, he will have the opportunity to acquire skills and learn exciting information to enhance his leadership skills. Please join me in congratulating Kevin on this adventure with AHCA/NCAL.

AHCA/NCAL - The Office of Management and Budget's Request for Information on Deregulation

On May 12, 2025, AHCA/NCAL submitted comments regarding proposals to rescind or replace regulations that “stifle American businesses and American ingenuity” as part of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) request for information (RFI). As the nation’s largest association representing long term and post-acute care facilities, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) stands ready to work with the Trump Administration on productive policies that support those who live and work in these facilities. We applaud your efforts to streamline government regulations in order to promote job growth, support small businesses, expand consumer choice, and encourage innovation. READ MORE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

As specific increased scrutiny of documentation continues, CMS focused attention on the admission and discharge process including consolidating some old regulations and adding some new regulations in the newest regulatory updates that took effect April 28, 2025. F628 Transfer and Discharge Documentation was added. The regulation specifically says: READ MORE

Congratulations to the 80+ nurses who successfully completed the Advantage Wound Care Certification Course last week!

KHCA extends our heartfelt thanks to the outstanding medical team from Advantage Surgical & Wound Care for their engaging and informative two-day presentation. We look forward to welcoming the team back next year to do it all again.

To all the dedicated care providers who attended: Your commitment to the long-term care residents of Kansas was evident throughout the course, and we sincerely appreciate your ongoing pursuit of clinical excellence.

Major nursing home organizations make pleas for regulatory relief

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ staffing mandate and excessive civil money penalties are a pair of major regulatory pain points that leading provider groups took aim at in appeals for relief this week from another federal agency.

LeadingAge and the American Health Care

Association penned separate letters Monday with similar thoughts to Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, calling for deregulation across key areas. READ MORE

AARP, Democrats want staffing rule delay stripped from House bill

Despite the multiple avenues open for defeat of the federal nursing home staffing rule, consumer advocates and some Democratic champions continue to fight for implementation of minimum direct-care requirements starting next year.

AARP this week asked lawmakers to retract the inclusion of a 10-year moratorium on the nursing home rule in a draft budget reconciliation bill. The legislation identifies an estimated $650 million to $715 million cuts to Medicaid and other health and safety net services. READ MORE

UnitedHealth under criminal investigation for possible fraud in Medicare Advantage line: WSJ

One of the nation's largest health insurers is reportedly the target of a Department of Justice investigation for alleged healthcare fraud, adding to a list of government attention it’s received in recent years. READ MORE

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Nurse Leadership Conference

June 25-26, 2025

Salina, KS



Members $219 | Non Members $269 until June 11th

This special Nurse Leadership Conference is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A fun networking event is in place Downtown Salina. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s enjoy some time relaxing and learning from each other.



Click here to learn more.

Webinar: Reducing Litigation Risk for Elopement

5/20/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Kansas Age-Friendly Nursing Workforce Forum

6/9/25 - 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: F761 - Label/Store Drugs and Biologicals

6/10/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training

6/11 - 6/12/25 - 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Topeka, Wichita or Virtual

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Managing Changes in Resident Condition

6/17/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Nurse Leadership Conference

6/25/25 & 6/26/25

Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.



Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org