The end of 2025 and beginning of 2026 brought meaningful changes and updates to compliance-related guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)—and these updates reflect years of focused advocacy by the American Health Care Association (AHCA). So, what has changed, why does it matter, and what do providers need to know now?
Changes to the CMP Reinvestment Program
Broadly, the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) provides facilities and other stakeholders with options to use civil money penalty (CMP) funds to improve resident quality of care. For quality-improvement projects, this may include culture change improvements, training for staff, or supplementing the facility’s activities fund.
In September 2025, CMS released a memo detailing updates to the CMPRP that reversed course on the decision to remove several reinvestment options in 2023. AHCA heard from members that the 2023 program was restrictive, so for the past two years, we have advocated for CMS to make significant improvements. That advocacy paid off. CMS’s 2025 revisions restored flexibility, streamlined a cumbersome application process, and expanded how CMP funds can be used to support quality-improvement efforts.
A Major Win: Technology and Workforce Development in Play
In December 2025, CMS released the CMPRP list of updated resources, which included allowing CMP funds for technology investments, behavioral health support, and workforce development initiatives.
The timing is key. As the demographic in long term and post-acute care centers has changed, so, too, has the demand for technology. In a care center, resident demand for technology can be present in different ways. Some residents may benefit from personal tablets while others prefer virtual reality tools that allow them to travel the world from the comfort of their own chair. While there is still a need for activities such as arts, crafts, and bingo, there’s also a need to evolve with the changing demographics in care facilities.
In perhaps the most significant change, CMP funds can now be used for workforce development purposes, which were not allowed in prior years. Termed “workforce enhancement,” these projects strengthen the workforce through education, training, professional development, etc. This change directly reflects our long-standing advocacy for practical workforce solutions. Before the restrictive changes were made to the program in 2023, AHCA observed several states taking a leading role in using these funds and making a meaningful impact on their workforce.
Easier Than Before
As facility staff are incredibly busy providing quality care, the CMPRP may have been seen as cumbersome to apply to in the past. However, in this new update, it’s easier than ever for providers to apply for the funds. AHCA has long advocated making the application process easier, and CMS took note. In December 2025, CMS announced in its memo that providers all over the country would use a simple form to apply. In the past, each state had a different variation of the application, and, like most grant applications, the form was complex. Now, providers fill out a single PDF form.
With expanded use opportunities and an easier application, now is a great time for providers to apply for the CMPRP funds. Whether elevating activity offerings to residents, providing additional training to staff on important topics such as behavioral health, or putting gardens in a courtyard, there are multiple opportunities to use the funds to improve the quality of life for residents. Consider applying for CMPRP funds today.
Data Discrepancies and Nursing Home Care Compare
Another update of interest to providers is CMS’s recent release of a memo titled Impact of iQIES (Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System) Transition on Nursing Home Compare. Released January 9, 2026, the memo addresses data discrepancies and updates to the Nursing Home Care Compare system.
Since Nursing Home Care Compare was initiated, various stakeholders have voiced concerns about the website. The system is large, and grasping the complex aspects of it can be difficult. In addition, providers want to ensure that the information provided is accurate and transparent for prospective residents and their families.
In December 2025, AHCA heard from members who were concerned about inaccurate survey scores being displayed—data that potential residents and family members rely on when making care decisions. AHCA elevated these concerns to CMS, underscoring the real-world impact inaccurate data can have on a facility’s reputation and consumer trust.
Those concerns were acknowledged in CMS’s January 9 memo. In the first part of the memo, CMS acknowledged that some discrepancies appeared with the transition from the legacy system to the new system, iQIES. CMS requested that providers notify the agency with concerns about their survey score on Nursing Home Care Compare so they can be corrected. Providers are encouraged to email BetterCare@CMS.hhs.gov with any noted discrepancies. The latest Five Star Preview Reports in the “SNF Provider Preview” folders in iQIES are a useful source for facilities to help identify potential discrepancies in the survey score.
In the second part of the memo, CMS acknowledged another discrepancy. When the transition occurred, there was some data related to what complaints were substantiated versus unsubstantiated. Due to the removal of the term “substantiated” in the new system, the data reported on Nursing Home Care Compare was no longer accurate.
CMS’s acknowledgement of these errors and clarity on its intention to address them speaks volumes. AHCA appreciates this effort by CMS and its willingness to address the discrepancies. With state affiliates and facilities continuing to play an important role, AHCA is looking forward to working together to continue to solve challenges on behalf of members.
Better Way Forward in 2026
In 2026, AHCA is focused on a multitude of regulatory improvements outlined in its Better Way policy agenda. Advocating the sunsetting of requirements related to COVID-19 for care centers is an example. While the public health emergency for COVID-19 ended three years ago, several related requirements are still in place. We’re encouraging federal policymakers to reassess what requirements are still essential to ensure providers are following the latest best practices and focusing more on patients, not paperwork.
Pursuit of Excellence through the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program
Long term and post-acute care professionals are passionate about what they do. This is evidenced by the increasing number of member facilities that are embarking on the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award journey, to continually elevate the sector and bring the highest quality of care to residents across the nation. As the program celebrates thirty years of existence in 2026, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program continues to demonstrate that it is a proven means to this end. Not only is it designed to align a facility’s operations and culture to nationally recognized standards of excellence, but it also provides a path for the facility to be more resilient than ever before.
Putting quality and residents first not only improves care delivery, but it serves as a gateway that lets regulatory compliance fall into place.
Hawley Hunt is senior director of regulatory and quality services at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living. Previously an administrator, her facility earned both the Bronze and the Silver AHCA Quality Awards. She has also served as a Silver and Gold Examiner for the AHCA Quality Award program. She can be reached at hhunt@ahca.org.