Skilled Nursing News October 29, 2025
Kristin Carroll

The “flagship program” meant to drive quality at nursing homes most in need of improvement is not working, in part due to an overreliance on financial penalties.

That’s according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG).

The report examined nursing homes that went through the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program from 2013 to 2022. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), working in conjunction with state agencies, places nursing homes that have the poorest health inspection survey scores in the SFF program.

Some nursing homes in the SFF program ultimately are terminated from Medicare or Medicaid participation. Nursing homes that meet certain quality improvement benchmarks, confirmed through surveys, graduate...

Today's Sponsors

Venturous
ZeOmega

Today's Sponsor

Venturous

Continue Reading

 
Topics: Govt Agencies, OIG, Post-Acute Care, Provider, Survey / Study, Trends
Related Articles:
What Home-Based Care Consumers Really Want
M&Y Care LLC: The Main Differences Between Home Health Care and Non-Medical Home Care
Education, Care Coordination Move The Needle For Home-Based Care Consumers
Fighting Hospice Fraud an OIG Priority
Motivating and Enabling Factors Supporting Targeted Improvements to Hospital-SNF Transitions

Share Article