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Featured News

Iowa Court Rules in Favor of Attorneys General, LeadingAge States on Staffing Mandate

As reported to LeadingAge Ohio membership yesterday via a late-day alert, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa issued a ruling yesterday in the state Attorneys General and LeadingAge states’ challenge to the national nursing home staffing mandate. The ruling grants a motion in the states' favor to vacate the hourly minimum staffing rates and requirement for 24-hour a day registered nurse coverage. However, the court ruled that the provisions of the rule were severable and as such, denied the plaintiffs’ motion to vacate the enhanced facility assessment requirement and Medicaid reporting requirements. 

Speaking to the 24/7 nursing requirement, the order notes that “The 24/7 RN provision replaces the Congressionally-established floor of ‘at least 8 hours per day’ with a floor of 24 hours per day. This is impermissible.”

On the hours-per-resident-day (HPRD) requirement, the order says of the defendant’s (CMS’s) position that “Requiring a specific level of staff per resident is meaningfully different than establishing additional requirements for providers—such as mandating certain qualifications, vaccinations, trainings, among other things. As such, this argument is unpersuasive.”

Earlier this year, a Texas federal judge also struck down the minimum staffing requirement, stating CMS exceeded its authority in establishing the requirement. Following this, the Trump Administration has proceeded with filing an appeal on the Biden-era policy. 

At this point, it is unclear whether the President supports the staffing rule in principle, or if it is an effort by the Administration to preserve a mechanism for cost-savings in the current Congressional budget reconciliation process. Both the House and Senate budget reconciliation bills have included the elimination of the staffing requirements as a cost-cutting measure, purporting to net $22 billion in savings over 10 years.

Questions related to the outcome of the Iowa case may be directed to Susan Wallace, President / CEO of LEadingAge Ohio at swallace@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio is one of 20 LeadingAge state affiliates that are co-plaintiffs in the case. 

State Budget Talks Move to Conference Committee; Final Report Expected Next Week

The joint House-Senate Conference Committee on House Bill 96, the FY26-27 state operating budget, held its first formal hearing on June 17, 2025, where the committee heard updated state revenue forecasts from Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Kim Murnieks and Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Director Wendy Zahn. 

OBM lowered its revenue projections for both fiscal years compared to the Blue Book numbers, while LSC has increased its projections. Both project around $29.6 billion for FY26, while the FY27 forecasts aren’t far apart -- $30.3 billion for OBM and $30.4 billion for LSC. Both agencies have increased their expectations for FY25 revenue. Both OBM and LSC also projected higher Medicaid spending compared to what they estimated upon introduction of the budget.

The committee will take these estimates into consideration as they hammer out a final agreement on the measure, a process that largely takes place behind closed doors, with an anticipated final conference report representing an agreement between the two chambers early next week, followed by House and Senate passage mid-week. LeadingAge Ohio continues its advocacy and education with general assembly members on the PDPM correction amendment that was included in the Senate-passed version, to ensure it remains a part of the final bill. 

Hear more about both state and federal budget activity in June’s Advocacy in Action call, and for questions, reach out to Eli Faes at efaes@leadingageohio.org

Make an IMPACT at LeadingAge Ohio’s 2025 Annual Conference & Tradeshow!

August 26-28, 2025 | Hilton Columbus Easton

Are you ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to lead meaningful impact?

LeadingAge Ohio proudly presents its 2025 Annual Conference and Tradeshow, themed “Ripples of Impact”—a powerful reflection of how each action we take, no matter how small, can create lasting change in the lives of older adults, in our communities, and within our organizations.

This dynamic, three-day event offers:

  • 60 timely, interdisciplinary education sessions on the most pressing issues in aging services, from workforce innovation to regulatory updates, health equity, quality improvement, leadership development, and more.
  • Keynote by Ryan Wotherspoon inviting conference attendees to find their music, as they lead with passion and purpose.
  • New Ice Cream Social Networking event to enjoy a sweet treat and new connections!
  • Annual Awards Luncheon to honor aging service professionals 
  • A vibrant trade show floor showcasing the latest tools, technologies, and solutions to help you thrive in an ever-evolving care landscape.

Bring your team for a front-row seat to the future of aging services. Every session attended, idea shared, and connection made has the power to create ripples of impact—both within your organization and across the continuum of care.

Don’t miss this opportunity to recharge your mission, reimagine your strategies, and reaffirm your commitment to those you serve.

Learn more and register here.

You Asked... We Answered

You Asked... We Answered...

You Asked: Are there restrictions on minors using mechanical lifts to assist with resident transfers?

We Answered: Under federal child labor laws, minors under age 18 are generally prohibited from operating or assisting in the operation of power-driven hoists, including mechanical lifts used to transfer residents, such as Hoyer lifts. This is outlined in Hazardous Occupations Order No. 7 (HO 7). However, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin (No. 2011-3) that allows limited exceptions under very specific conditions. WHD will not cite a child labor violation if a properly trained 16- or 17-year-old assists a trained adult in using the lift, provided all of the following are met:

  • The minor has successfully completed state-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation.
  • The minor only assists in a two-person team led by an employee age 18 or older who is trained in using the lift.
  • The minor does not operate the lift alone or have solo "hands-on" contact with the resident unless directly assisting the adult team member who is actively engaged in the task.
  • The minor has received written information about these restrictions from their employer.
  • No injury occurs during the lift involving the minor.

This enforcement policy reflects WHD’s effort to balance safety with practical staffing realities in healthcare. However, if any of these requirements are not met—or if the minor is injured—WHD will consider it a violation, and the employer may face penalties.

LeadingAge Ohio advises providers to review policies with internal counsel and refer to additional guidance on the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division webpage.

LeadingAge Ohio News

New Resource: LeadingAge Ohio Private Room Sample Policy

To help members navigate recent changes in Ohio Medicaid policy, LeadingAge Ohio developed a Private Room Payment Toolkit offering clear, actionable guidance on reimbursement for private room accommodations.

As of December 18, 2024, Ohio Medicaid-certified nursing facilities that have applied and been approved by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) may be reimbursed for private rooms under specific circumstances, such as medical necessity or infection control. However, this opportunity includes documentation and compliance requirements outlined in the Ohio Administrative and Revised Codes: 

(5) Beginning July 1, 2025, to retain eligibility for private room rates, a nursing facility must do both of the following:

(a) Have a policy in place to prioritize placement in a private room based on the medical and psychosocial needs of the resident;

(b) Participate in the resident or family satisfaction survey performed pursuant to section 173.47 of the Revised Code.

Recognizing the need for practical support, LeadingAge Ohio created this sample policy to help providers properly document and justify room assignments, and submit Medicaid claims in alignment with state requirements.

Download the private room sample policy

Three New Ways to Prepare for Medicaid PDPM

LeadingAge Ohio is deploying resources for members who are focused on transitioning to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) for Medicaid payment. Don’t miss the following three resources to prepare your board, your MDS nurse, and your team! 

For Your Board: “Another Word for Living” Podcast Summarizes PDPM

Are you a senior living leader trying to wrap your mind around the upcoming transition? Or trying to figure out how to explain the transition– and its impact on your budget– to your Board of Directors? 

In this month’s 30-minute episode of LeadingAge Ohio’s podcast, Another Word For Living…, host Susan Wallace sits down with Stephanie DeWees—LeadingAge Ohio’s Quality and Regulatory Specialist for Long-term Care—to unpack Ohio’s shift to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). This episode is a “101” on Medicaid case mix, geared to succinctly explaining what case mix is, why we need it, and what your organization needs to do to prepare, to the complete novice. 

From the foundational concepts to the more complex regulatory changes, Stephanie breaks it all down in a clear, practical way. DeWees also highlights valuable resources and upcoming education from LeadingAge Ohio designed to support your organization through this important transition.

Listen here or on any major podcast platform. 

For Your MDS Nurse: June 26 Webinar on Immediate Actions for PDPM Success

Ohio’s Medicaid reimbursement system for nursing facilities is undergoing a major overhaul. The state is moving to a nursing-only Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), and House Bill 96 outlines how that shift will be phased in over the next several years. During this member-only call, we’ll walk through the changes that will impact how your Medicaid rate is calculated and what actions you should be taking now as we wind down the second quarter. You’ll also hear how LeadingAge Ohio is preparing to support providers through this change with tailored resources, strategic guidance, and upcoming member initiatives.

The webinar is free to LeadingAge Ohio members, but registration is required.

For Your Team: Reimbursement Collaborative Launches in July

The Reimbursement Collaborative: Strategic Solutions for QIP and PDPM Success helps providers connect the dots between quality performance and payment. Through monthly sessions beginning in July, participants will explore how QIP measures and PDPM classifications align, how to improve documentation to support stronger reimbursement, and how to leverage data to drive outcomes. Each organization will receive facility-specific reports to guide internal strategy and system-level change.

ICYMI: All Member Webinar Reviews Member Survey Results, Highlights New Initiatives

At the June 17 All-Member Webinar, LeadingAge Ohio leadership shared the results of the 2023 All-Member Survey—our biennial pulse-check that informs everything from strategic planning to daily member support. While the response rate was lower than in past years, the results affirmed much of what we hear every day: our members value advocacy, real-time communication, and practical education that helps them do their jobs better.

Key takeaways included a sustained Net Promoter Score of 67 and a notable rise in members naming advocacy as their top-used benefit, reflecting recent state-level policy wins, policymakers’ trust in LeadingAge Ohio as the voice for the care continuum, and increased grassroots action. Communications and education remain highly rated, though respondents voiced a desire for even more targeted, timely updates and expanded education offerings—feedback already being addressed through tailored newsletters and revamped learning content.

The webinar also offered a deeper look at how your feedback is directly shaping our work. From new “Maximize Your Membership” features to expanded committee transparency and strategic partnerships, LeadingAge Ohio is investing in both legacy value and bold new initiatives. If you missed the live session, the full recording is available on the Learning Center. Questions or ideas? Contact us!

Maximize Your Membership: Ask Our Experts

LeadingAge Ohio members don’t have to face compliance challenges, survey readiness, or quality improvement planning alone. Two trusted experts—Lindsey Buzzard, and Stephanie DeWees—are just a phone call away, offering years of hands-on experience across hospice, home health, and long-term care.

Lindsey Buzzard, Director of Home Health & Hospice, supports members with mock surveys, compliance audits, performance improvement planning, and specialized training on hospice regulatory tools. She will lead an in-person training on the new CMS-mandated Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) Tool on August 5 in Columbus. This 3-hour session—HOPE is Here—is designed to prepare hospice clinicians and administrators for the October 1 implementation. Learn more and register at learning.leadingageohio.org. Lindsey is available at LBuzzard@leadingageohio.org or 740-416-3677.

Stephanie DeWees, LeadingAge Ohio’s Quality & Regulatory Specialist and founder of Squared Business Solutions, is spearheading two major education series for 2025: the 2025 Survey Success Collaborative and the 2025 Survey Reimbursement Collaborative. Running July through December, these multi-session collaboratives are designed to help long-term care providers build sustainable systems for quality reimbursement and regulatory compliance. With a focus on actionable strategy, data-informed decision-making, and peer-driven learning, these collaboratives provide a roadmap for real improvement. Stephanie is available at SDeWees@leadingageohio.org for consultation or emergency survey support.

Both Lindsey and Stephanie are available for scheduled consultations and emergency survey support. To learn more about their credentials and areas of expertise, visit our team at www.leadingageohio.org/leadership. When the stakes are high, you don’t have to go it alone—ask our experts.

Now Accepting Nominations for LeadingAge Ohio Board and Committees

The Nominating Committee of the LeadingAge Ohio Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for board service beginning in November 2025. In addition to identifying the annual board slate, the committee also seeks rising leaders across the membership to serve on LeadingAge Ohio committees.

Board members help guide the strategic direction of the association, meeting quarterly in Columbus—with occasional virtual meetings to address timely issues. Board candidates must be senior leaders at a LeadingAge Ohio member organization and reflect the diversity of the association’s membership in experience, geography, services, and background. This year, the committee is especially seeking individuals with expertise in philanthropy, managed/value-based care, and workforce development.

Committee service is open to professionals at any stage of their career and offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to statewide efforts, grow professionally, and build connections across the field. While we welcome new members to all LeadingAge Ohio committees, the association’s current needs include the Professional Development Committee, Affordable Housing Subcommittee, Home, Hospice & Palliative Care Committee (with an emphasis on Home Care), and the NF/AL Reimbursement Subcommittee.

To nominate yourself or a colleague, click here to complete the nomination form and email it to Molly Homan at mhoman@leadingageohio.org. Those interested in board service are also encouraged to contact Nominating Committee Chair Allison Salopeck at Allison.Salopeck@jenningsohio.org. Nominations are accepted through June 30, 2025.

Philanthropy Network to Host Hands-On AI Workshop for Fundraising Professionals

On Wednesday, June 26, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the LeadingAge Ohio office in Columbus, fundraising professionals from across aging services are invited to a hands-on AI Workshop and Information Exchange. Designed for those working in development, advancement, and grant writing roles, the session will focus on how tools like ChatGPT can support real-world fundraising work—drafting donor messages, shaping campaigns, researching grants, and summarizing internal updates.

The morning will feature live demonstrations and guided examples to help attendees understand what makes a prompt effective. After a networking lunch, participants will rotate through small-group tables, each focused on a different fundraising challenge. With laptops open and support on hand, attendees will test ideas, troubleshoot common barriers, and generate content they can bring back to their organizations.

This workshop offers a practical, peer-supported environment to learn, experiment, and grow in confidence using AI tools in fundraising. Registration is $15 and includes lunch. Space is limited.

Stay Connected Snapshot: Upcoming Meetings & Events

There's always something happening at LeadingAge Ohio, and we don’t want you to miss a moment. From educational opportunities to networking events, our calendar is packed with ways for members to stay informed, engaged, and connected.

Explore what's ahead and make plans to join us—whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, connect with peers, or get involved in shaping the future of aging services in Ohio.

View all upcoming events here and mark your calendar today!

State News

MyCare Ohio Advisory Workgroup Gives Update on Next Generation Rollout

Last week, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) convened the Mycare Ohio Advisory Workgroup to give an update on the progress of the MyCare Next Generation rollout and solicit feedback from the group. The Next Generation program focuses on the healthcare needs of Ohioans who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid healthcare coverage.​  ODM is implementing Next Generation MyCare January 1, 2026, for the 29 counties where MyCare Ohio is currently available. Phase two will be statewide expansion for the remaining 59 counties in Ohio, starting on April 1, 2026 and continuing through the year. 

ODM is holding visits around the state to educate communities on MyCare Ohio to help individuals prepare for the implementation and gather feedback from stakeholders. Also discussed in depth were various enrollment scenarios applicable to Medicaid-only MyCare members that may be encountered throughout each of the phases as individuals come onto the program.  Since they often coordinate MyCare services, Ohio’s Area Agencies on Aging have developed a Learning Management System that offers courses on self direction, to minimize member disruption. Finally the group also got a preview of existing plan letters and the Next Generation MyCare ID card that members will be receiving. 

For additional information, individuals can be directed to the MyCare Ohio program member frequently asked questions document

Performance Audit of Ohio Department of Aging Highlights Employee Turnover, Communications Issues

On June 12, 2025, the Ohio Auditor of State’s office (OAS) released a performance audit report on the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) conducted over the period of several months. According to the report, only 1 in 3 people employed by the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) in fiscal year 2019 remained on staff in fiscal year 2024, and the report went on to say that the significant employee turnover, which outpaced other state offices, strained ODA’s communications with local agencies and constituents, negatively affected operations, and hindered auditors’ work to identify issues and offer recommendations for improvement. 

ODA Director McElroy was quick to respond to Auditor Keith Faber, noting "Importantly, the audit and other recently released financial audits found no ODA deficiencies in programmatic performance, internal controls related to financial and data reporting, fraud assessment activities, grants management, or oversight operations.”

The new performance audit released last week offered nine recommendations for improvements at ODA, including:

  • The agency’s current State Plan on Aging is overly broad and included goals beyond the scope of agency’s influence, “resulting in a plan that did not provide action steps that were easily implemented or measured.” Moving forward, ODA should consider objectives specifically tied to programs it impacts and communicate and collaborate with constituents to track progress.
  • Though required to submit an annual report with information about complaints and issues raised by residents and recommendations for improvement, the last report was submitted prior to 2020. The State Long Term Care Ombudsman “should prepare and publish the required annual report in a timely manner.”
  • While ODA has made efforts to improve its data collection and utilization, the agency still does not collect, utilize, and/or publish information that could assist in decision making, including tracking the number of older Ohioans using different services and regional wait-list and levy data. Auditors wrote, “ODA should continue its data analytics efforts and explore collecting, utilizing, and publishing data elements beyond those specifically mentioned in this recommendation.”

McElroy addressed three specific points of the performance audit recommendations within planning and operations:

  • The audit report attributed 65 percent of departmental departures to retirements, interagency promotions and transfers, or health.
  • ODA's staffing shifts largely mirrored national trends driven by COVID-19, and the department's turnover rate had dropped to 8.9 percent in 2024 following targeted recruitment, leadership development and an agency-wide organizational health assessment completed in 2023.
  • ODA's voluntary exit interview process had previously yielded low response rates. But following an engagement period,ODA implemented a more effective and engaging process of in-person discussions which increased participation to 71 percent in 2025.

The full report is available online, and Director McElroy’s response letter begins on page 65 of the audit report. 

Federal/National News

CMS Announces Several Updates to Care Compare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released memo QSO-25-20-NH on June 18 announcing several changes to Nursing Home Care Compare. Beginning with the July quarterly refresh, CMS will use only two standard survey cycles to compute health inspection ratings, rather than the last three standard surveys. The past three years of complaint surveys will continue to be calculated, and weights have been adjusted so that the most recent standard survey and the past 12 months of complaints will account for 75% of the health inspection rating and the second most recent standard survey and complaint surveys occurring in the past two and three years will account for 25% of the health inspection score.

Also beginning with the July refresh, CMS will begin displaying performance data for affiliated entities on nursing homes’ profile pages, and COVID vaccination metrics will be removed from providers’ main profile pages. LeadingAge notes, however, the removal of these metrics appears only to apply to the metrics on the main profile pages that were updated monthly based on the most recent National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. There has been no indication that CMS will be removing the vaccination coverage measures from the Quality Measures domain, and removal of these measures from the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) would require regulatory action. 

Lastly, beginning with the October quarterly refresh, CMS will make adjustments to the long-stay antipsychotics measure to utilize data from Medicare and Medicaid cost reports in addition to data from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment. The addition of this data is anticipated to result in increased rates of reported antipsychotic usage.

Outlook for Social Security and Medicare Worsens, Raising Long-Term Concerns

The Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees released their annual reports on June 18, warning of earlier-than-expected depletion dates for both trust funds that support millions of older adults and individuals with disabilities.

The Social Security Trust Fund, which includes retirement and disability benefits, is now projected to become insolvent by 2034—one year earlier than previously forecast. At that point, the trust fund will be able to pay only 77% of scheduled benefits unless Congress acts.

This acceleration is attributed largely to the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These changes restored or increased benefits for nearly 3 million retirees and their spouses but also increased the long-term costs to the system.

Meanwhile, the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund, which supports inpatient hospital, skilled nursing, home health, and hospice care, is now expected to be depleted by 2033—three years earlier than projected last year. After that point, the fund will cover only 89% of scheduled payments. The updated forecast reflects higher-than-expected expenditures for hospital and hospice services in 2024, which covered a total of 67.6 million beneficiaries, including over 60 million older adults.

These projections serve as a stark reminder of the financial pressures facing programs critical to aging services providers and the individuals they serve.

LeadingAge will continue to monitor federal discussions around trust fund solvency and advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions that protect older adults and support the workforce and infrastructure required to care for them.

Senate Releases Budget Proposal with Major Health and Tax Implications for Aging Services

On June 16, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released its version of the budget reconciliation package, known informally as the “One Big Beautiful Bill. This sweeping proposal introduces several provisions that could significantly impact aging services providers in Ohio and across the country.

The Senate’s draft includes provisions that may pose even greater challenges for older adults and the providers who serve them. Provisions include more stringent provider taxes, state-directed payment arrangements, retroactive payment changes, and even Medicaid work requirements—all of which may create new challenges for providers caring for older adults.

On the tax side, however, the Senate bill introduces more favorable measures than the House version. These include:

  • Expanded charitable giving incentives

  • Broader eligibility for 529 education savings plan usage

  • A more favorable formula for taxing foundation investment income

  • Permanent improvements to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit—a key tool for affordable senior housing

LeadingAge is actively engaged with policymakers and advocating for provisions that support nonprofit aging services providers. LeadingAge is also developing resources for members, including this newly posted resource from LeadingAge offers a helpful side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate proposals. Members may also keep up-to-date on policy impacting nonprofits through this serial post. 

Learn more with the LeadingAge Action Center, where members can also take action to make their voices heard at the federal level.

Nursing Facility News

Survey Tip of the Week: Fall Response and Harm Citations

Recent harm-level citations have revealed that nursing assessment skills are contributing to delayed or inaccurate post-fall responses. In several cases, residents were moved before a thorough assessment was completed, and there were delays by nurse aides and therapy staff in promptly notifying nursing of the incidents. One citation involved a facility that failed to accurately report assessment findings, attributing the resident’s limited range of motion to their baseline despite the presence of acute pain. The nurse reported no injuries to the hospice agency and did not notify the attending physician or resident representative in a timely manner. As a result, evaluation and treatment were delayed until hospice assessed the resident the following day and identified the injuries. 

Under F-tag 726, §483.35 Nursing Services, CMS states that the facility must have sufficient nursing staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial wellbeing of each resident, as determined by resident assessments and individual plans of care and considering the number, acuity and diagnoses of the facility’s resident population in accordance with the facility assessment required at §483.71. Under §483.35(a)(3), the facility must ensure that licensed nurses have the specific competencies, and skill sets necessary to care for residents’ needs, as identified through resident assessments, and described in the plan of care

LeadingAge Ohio has provided survey tips to help navigate the changes in the revisedQSO-25-14- NH memo.  The previously provided survey tips can be accessed on the LeadingAge Ohio webpage under the Communications tab, then The Source tab. CMS has updated the survey resources on the CMS Nursing Homewebpage in accordance with the revisedQSO-25-14- NH memo. LeadingAge Ohio encourages facilities to monitor compliance using the surveyor guidance found in the State Operations Manual Appendix PP . Additionally, the survey pathways can be found in the Survey Resources zip file on the CMS Nursing Homewebpage and under the downloads section on this CMS webpage. LeadingAge has developed webinars and resources on the requirements of participation which are located on the LeadingAge learning hub. LeadingAge continues to addQuickCasts on the regulatory groups. Updated resources have also been added on the Nursing Home RoPTools and Resources webpage.  

For more information about the requirements of participation and citations occurring in Ohio, please join us on the monthly STAT: Survey Tips and Tactics call.Register now for the July 7 callat 11:00AM. LeadingAge Ohio is sharing tips to assist members during the survey process. Send questions you would like addressed in future Tips of the Week to Stephanie DeWees atsdewees@leadingageohio.org.  

Updated Ventilator Rates Effective July 1

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has released updated reimbursement rates for nursing facilities participating in the Ventilator and Ventilator Weaning Program, effective July 1, 2025. The rates represent the second consecutive decline in rates, for which LeadingAge Ohio is awaiting clarification since these rates are set based on Long-term Acute Care hospital reimbursement. Additionally, Medicaid has previously promised clarification on non-invasive ventilator service reimbursement. 

For state fiscal year 2026, the daily Medicaid payment will be $1,304.63 for ventilator-dependent residents and $1,565.56 for residents receiving ventilator weaning services. These enhanced rates apply across fee-for-service, MyCare, and managed care populations, including those receiving hospice services.

Facilities must use correct revenue center and diagnosis codes when billing. To apply for participation or add ventilator services, providers must complete form ODM 10227 and submit it to NFPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov.

Access the full fact sheet and contact NFPolicy@medicaid.ohio.gov with questions.

Education and Resources

Check out the LeadingAge Ohio Education Calendar!

LeadingAge Ohio holds valuable education webinars and in-person events throughout the year. Opportunities are added weekly. See the complete Schedule of Events.

Teamwork for Discharge Function Score Success!

LeadingAge Ohio’s newest Partner, Arbor Rehabilitation and Healthcare, and their Director of Clinical Compliance Cindy Hudson, recently released an article on the importance of discharge function scores used by CMS. Read the full report here.

Assisted Living News

Now Available On-Demand: Positioning Your Assisted Living for Success in a Competitive Market

With the number of residential care communities in Ohio nearly tripling over the last three decades, standing out has never been more important. In this new on-demand webinar, Positioning Your Assisted Living for Success in a Competitive Market, Gina Cappitti, LNHA, CEAL, CDP, shares how providers can build a meaningful competitive edge in today’s saturated marketplace.

From digital-first impressions and generational shifts to reputation management and purposeful resident experiences, Gina unpacks the real-world strategies that set high-performing communities apart. Providers will gain practical insights on assessing local competition, refining their unique value proposition, and aligning culture, care, and marketing for long-term success.

This session is a must-watch for executive directors, marketing and admissions teams, and anyone shaping their community’s reputation and occupancy strategy.

Upcoming Events