E-News Updates

At a noon press conference on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Governor Maura Healey announced that the Division of Insurance will be issuing regulations eliminating prior authorizations for a number of chronic disease medications and procedures, and announced the formation of a Health Care Affordability Working Group to be co-chaired by former Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh and Citizens Massachusetts President Lisa Murray. 

If you are applying for a 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award, please remember that applications are due by next Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. 

The Assisted Living Residence (ALR) Commission, established under Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024, has released its final report outlining regulatory and legislative recommendations to strengthen transparency, safety and consumer protections in assisted living residences across Massachusetts.

Please call Governor Healey today at 617-725-4005 to urge her support for these vital investments in nursing facility care – and in the residents and caregivers who depend on them.

Last week, CMS issued a memo on the iQIES transition, noting that some data discrepancies may appear on Nursing Home Care Compare as survey and certification data migrates to the new system. 

CMS recently added the revised Percent of Long-Stay Residents Who Received an Antipsychotic Medication measure to the iQIES MDS 3.0 Resident-Level Quality Measure report, which providers can run on demand to support quality improvement. However, CMS identified an issue in the report.

In response to Mass Senior Care member questions, we are sharing the November 2024 Board of Registration in Nursing Advisory Ruling Number 24-02, Invoking a Health Care Proxy by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses stating that its position is that Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs) and Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists (PCNSs) who have attained the required knowledge and competencies may also invoke a Health Care Proxy.

As previously reported, the 2025 Final Rule introduced a major new requirement for skilled nursing facilities: beginning in FY 2027, CMS will audit MDS-based quality measures for the QRP program.

In an effort to assist members with survey compliance, we are reminding providers of their obligation under the CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities requiring personnel to provide basic life support, including CPR, to a resident requiring such emergency care prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel and subject to related physician orders and the resident’s advance directives (F678 §483.24(a)(3)). 

For many years, Massachusetts nursing facilities were effectively given a “pass” on CMS requirements for sprinkler protection in elevator machine rooms and elevator shafts because those requirements conflicted with the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations, which prohibit sprinkler installation in these areas. In recent years, however, nursing facilities have increasingly been cited during federal Life Safety Code (LSC) surveys under K161, K347, or K351.

The Federal government recently released updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030. The guidelines aim to simplify diet advice by focusing on nutrient-rich whole foods and reducing chronic disease risk through lower consumption of processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbs and emphasize eating more whole, minimally processed foods, avoiding highly processed and ultra-processed products that contain added sugars, artificial ingredients, and excess salt.

The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), in partnership with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) is hosting a virtual meeting on January 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time titled Immigration Update 2026: Employer Know Your Rights Info-Session.

This is a reminder to all employers that EEO1 reports are due to the Secretary of the Commonwealth no later than 2/1/2026. 

The Massachusetts Council of Activity Professionals (MassCAP) is the state body representing Activity Professionals in Massachusetts. The 2026 MassCAP membership begins January 1 and is effective until December 31. Please take the time to renew/join MassCAP!

Mass Senior Care is pleased to announce our 2026 Spring Conference and Trade Show, taking place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Register Now!