Rural hospital closures are reshaping healthcare access across the U.S.—and the impact is being felt by senior living and post-acute providers. Since 2005, 195 rural hospitals have closed or converted across 37 states, eliminating an estimated 6,782 beds. While closures peaked between 2013 and 2020, the effects continue to compound. States like Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina have been among the hardest hit, leaving many rural communities without reliable access to emergency and inpatient care.

On April 2, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Proposed Rule, bringing important updates that will impact reimbursement, reporting, and performance expectations across the industry. For skilled nursing providers, alignment between clinical performance, documentation accuracy, and operational efficiency is essential.

The Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) continues to evolve, and while major revisions have not yet been finalized, industry experts expect additional updates may be on the horizon. Federal regulators have been reviewing potential changes to non-therapy ancillary (NTA) payments, comorbidity classifications, and reimbursement structures. For skilled nursing facilities, understanding these possible shifts now can help reduce financial risk and support stronger compliance in the future.

Discharge Function Scores are an important measure of resident progress in skilled nursing facilities. They help demonstrate functional improvement from admission to discharge, support quality outcomes, and contribute to accurate PDPM reporting. When documented correctly and supported by strong collaboration, these scores provide a clearer picture of the care teams deliver every day.

Senior living communities are rethinking how therapy services are delivered, and many are choosing to bring them closer to home. A recent article from McKnight’s Senior Living highlights a growing trend: providers integrating therapy services directly into their communities to improve access, coordination, and resident outcomes.

Rising medical costs and increasing payer scrutiny continue to reshape the post-acute care landscape in 2026. Skilled nursing facilities and post-acute providers face tighter reimbursement models, heightened documentation requirements, and growing pressure to demonstrate measurable outcomes. For many organizations, transitioning to or optimizing an in-house therapy program is a strategic way to regain control—but success requires more than bringing therapy services under your own roof.

As 2026 begins, rising medical costs are creating new financial pressures for post-acute care providers. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), therapy providers, and other post-acute organizations are navigating higher operating expenses, tighter payer oversight, and reimbursement for healthcare services that is increasingly tied to utilization, documentation, and measurable outcomes.

As the federal government concludes the latest shutdown, skilled nursing providers are once again bracing for MDS validation audits. These are a detailed review of records, coding, and documentation designed to verify that submitted data accurately reflects resident care. These healthcare audits will influence both compliance and reimbursement outcomes, making preparation essential for every organization.

In healthcare, uncertainty is always part of the job, but events like a government shutdown can amplify the challenges. Post-acute care providers (including skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies) rely on federal programs for funding, guidance, and oversight. When those programs are disrupted, even temporarily, it can create ripple effects across patient care, staff operations, and planning.

To prevent costly mistakes, many skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) turn to automated data scrubbing software, or “scrubbers.” These tools are designed to scan for errors in claims and assessments, highlight missing information, and keep data clean. At first glance, that seems like a perfect solution. They process data quickly, reduce some manual burden, and promise efficiency.

In this blog on Physical Therapy Month, HAP discusses why PT still matters and remains a cornerstone of quality care regardless of reimbursement model changes.

Stay ahead of the October 1, 2025 MDS 3.0 changes and learn how post-acute care providers can respond to them with Health Advisory Partners’ expert guidance.

For skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), accurate reimbursement is essential for both financial stability and high-quality patient care. The Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) has transformed how Medicare reimburses SNFs by focusing on each resident’s clinical characteristics, conditions, and care needs instead of therapy minutes alone. While this approach better aligns payment with patient complexity, it also increases the importance of precise coding and thorough documentation. Health Advisory Partners by Aegis Therapies^® (HAP) helps facilities navigate PDPM with expert consultation and tools like our reimbursement calculator, ensuring every service provided is accurately captured and reimbursed.

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act introduces a complex set of policy changes that touch nearly every corner of the healthcare industry. From restructured reimbursement models to narrowed eligibility criteria, the legislation reshapes how federal healthcare dollars will be distributed and who will be left without coverage.

Success in post-acute care depends on more than delivering excellent clinical outcomes—it requires a solid operational foundation that supports agility, sustainability, and long-term growth. As pressures mount from regulatory bodies, payers, and staffing challenges, providers must take a proactive, holistic approach. Here are insights on clinical and business operations based on proven strategies from experts at Health Advisory Partners by Aegis Therapies.

Staying compliant and maintaining quality isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s a competitive advantage. Facilities that treat regulatory standards as the baseline rather than the finish line are better equipped to deliver exceptional care, improve outcomes, and stay financially sustainable in a value-driven environment.

As of January 2025, the Discharge Function Score will officially factor into the Five-Star Quality Rating System for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). While it has already played a role in the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program, this new development significantly raises the stakes for providers.

Being accurately reimbursed for all the care you provide is essential for maintaining financial stability while delivering high-quality patient care. Navigating complex reimbursement models like the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) requires more than just conventional scrubbing software.

We are excited to announce that Post-Acute Care Solutions (PACS) Consulting is now Health Advisory Partners by Aegis Therapies^®. While our name has changed, our mission remains the same.