Medicare Updates Skilled Nursing Facility Payments for Fiscal Year 2026
Published Date: 8/4/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting in fiscal year 2026, skilled nursing facilities will see updated payment rates and new rules to improve care quality. These changes affect how facilities get paid and report their performance, aiming to reward better care. Facilities should get ready for these updates, which could impact their funding and how they operate.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
SNF Payment Rates Updated
This final rule updates the payment rates used under the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2026. If you operate or manage a skilled nursing facility, these finalized payment-rate changes could affect your facility's funding starting in fiscal year 2026.
SNF Value-Based Purchasing Updates
This final rule updates the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program for fiscal year 2026. If you operate a skilled nursing facility, these updates to the Value-Based Purchasing Program could change how facility performance is measured and how payments are adjusted starting in fiscal year 2026.
SNF Quality Reporting Changes
The rule updates the requirements for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program for fiscal year 2026. If you run a skilled nursing facility, these finalized reporting requirement changes could affect how your facility must collect and submit quality data beginning in fiscal year 2026.
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Key Dates
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