The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled in favor of LeadingAge Ohio and Ohio’s nursing home associations in the case State ex rel. LeadingAge Ohio et al. v. Ohio Department of Medicaid. The decision grants the writ of mandamus sought by the associations, compelling the Department of Medicaid and its director to recalculate and pay nursing-home quality incentive payments according to the formula set forth in Ohio Revised Code 5165.26. The Court further held that the Department and its director violated their duty to apply the law as enacted by the General Assembly.
This ruling represents a significant victory for Ohio’s nursing homes, which have faced underfunding since the passage of House Bill 33 in July 2023.
LeadingAge Ohio has been in conversations this week with its co-plaintiffs, the Ohio Healthcare Association and the Academy for Senior Health Sciences, as well as legal team to discern the immediate next steps for providers impacted by the underfunding. Notably, the decision is silent on how the Department of Medicaid should act in terms of addressing the 2+ years of quality payments that were miscalculated. The decision also does not set forth a concrete timeline for the Department to recalculate the quality payments. Finally, while LeadingAge Ohio was able to bring this suit on behalf of Ohio providers, it does not have the ability to negotiate a resolution on behalf of its members.
LeadingAge Ohio will provide more clarity to members on an all-member call next week (time TBA).
Related: States are reneging on promised nursing home payments. Providers are turning to the courts The 2025 LeadingAge Ohio Annual Conference & Trade Show drew more than 450 attendees to the Hilton Columbus at Easton, where the theme Ripples of Impact carried through education, celebration, and connection. Over three days, participants engaged in more than 60 sessions, networked with colleagues, and visited a bustling trade show floor that featured 96 exhibitors offering solutions and services to advance aging care.
Moments of recognition and reflection gave the conference its heart. The Annual Awards Luncheon honored leaders whose contributions continue to influence the field, while the Remembrance Room offered a place to pause and reflect on lives and legacies that endure. Community flourished during the Ice Cream Social, the VIP Breakfast and Reception, and the return of Game Night with the Memory Disco by the Day by Day Project, reminding attendees of the strength that comes from gathering together.
The success of this year’s event was made possible through the support of trusted partners and sponsors whose investment sustains our mission and the work of members across Ohio. LeadingAge Ohio is deeply grateful to Link-Age Solutions, Squared Business Solutions, Absolute Pharmacy, Absolute Rehabilitation, Health Direct Pharmacy Services, Ziegler, OASN Strategic Health Care, Benesch, Plante Moran, Citrin Cooperman, ServiceMaster SRM, Bricker Graydon, Arbor Rehabilitation Healthcare, Hartman Executive Advisors, RLPS Architects, Premier Therapy, Corpay, HJ Sims, Arnet Technologies, Superior Health Quality Alliance, Value 1st, CLA, Encore Wound Care, Consolidus, Northeast Surgical and Wound Care, Epic Senior Living, Sedgwick, NurseDash, the Center to Advance Palliative Care, HTS, and Anthem for their commitment to the field of aging services. Their partnership elevated the conference experience and ensures that the ripples set in motion during these three days will continue to carry forward in communities across the state. Top You Asked: If a resident lacks vaccination records, can we administer vaccines based on their verbal history?
We Answered: Verbal history is acceptable for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines only. CMS provides the specific guidance under F883, §483.80(d) Influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, in the State Operations Manual Appendix PP as follows:
- Written, dated records are required as evidence of vaccination for all vaccines except the influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV).
- Self-reported doses are acceptable for influenza and PPSV only.
- If the resident cannot self-report, a resident representative may report on their behalf if they have knowledge of the resident’s medical care.
Top LeadingAge Ohio is delighted to celebrate the graduation of the Leadership Academy Class of 2025—an extraordinary cohort of professionals committed to advancing aging services across the state. For the past year, these fellows have strengthened leadership skills and forged enduring connections across Ohio.
The class includes
- Brandy Christiansen (National Church Residences – Portage Trail);
- Brian Hill (Otterbein SeniorLife – Union Township);
- Cara Wickham (Shrivers Hospice);
- Corey Markham (director of education and business development at LeadingAge Ohio);
- Danelle Stover (McGregor PACE);
- Derik Kroeze (Otterbein SeniorLife – Granville);
- Kendra Anglero (Brethren Retirement Community);
- Kanesha Boyd (McGregor);
- Kristi Valentine (Otterbein SeniorLife);
- Kyle Schmidlapp (National Church Residences – Lincoln Township);
- Megan King (Kendal at Oberlin);
- Samantha Lourenco (Life Enriching Communities);
- Tammy Allison (Fairlawn Haven);
- Ben Mounts (National Church Residences);
- Thomas Durbin (Ohio Living Rockynol);
- Megan Cisler (Judson Services); and
- Sheri Barlay (United Church Homes).
A special thank-you goes to the Leadership Academy Design Team, whose dedication made this experience deeply meaningful for every fellow. We also extend appreciation to Link-age Solutions, whose generous sponsorship ensures this program continues to empower the next generation of leaders in aging services. To celebrate alongside the Class of 2025, view the Leadership Academy graduation highlights video. At this year’s Annual Meeting, LeadingAge Ohio was proud to present the 2026 Board of Directors slate for election. Three individuals were elected to their first terms on the Board: Rita Doherty, Executive Director of Friendship Village of Dublin; Jennifer Griveas, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Eliza Jennings; and Cara Schuster, Chief Clinical Officer of Ohio Masonic Communities.
In addition, two current members were re-elected for second terms. Jason Miller, Senior Vice President of Otterbein SeniorLife, and Rick Russell, President and CEO of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, will continue their board service for three more years.
LeadingAge Ohio also extends its gratitude to five valued leaders whose board terms have concluded: Rich Boyson of Eliza Jennings, Scott Buchanan of The Ohio Masonic Home, Denise Anderson of National Church Residences, Allison Salopeck of Jennings, and Chris Widman of Good Shepherd Home have given their time, expertise, and guidance to advance the mission of LeadingAge Ohio.
On behalf of the entire membership, thank you to all board members—past, present, and future—for your leadership, wisdom, and commitment to Ohio’s aging services community. LeadingAge Ohio is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Annual Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose leadership, compassion, and dedication have made a lasting difference in the lives of older Ohioans.
This year’s Public Service Award was presented to State Representative Jim Hoops, whose advocacy has advanced dementia initiatives, supported rural communities, and strengthened the direct care workforce. Michelle Aman of Otterbein Home Health & Hospice received the Heart of Hospice Award for her extraordinary contributions to end-of-life care, while Olivia Woitas of Otterbein Lebanon was honored with the Excellence in Caring Award for her compassion and commitment to those she serves. The Impact Awards recognized both an individual and an organization: Angela Vogan of Friendship Village of Dublin for her innovation and leadership, and the McGregor Foundation for its community-wide commitment to improving the lives of older adults. In addition, Laura Lacy of The Knolls of Oxford was named Emerging Leader, and Laura Farrel of United Church Homes – Glenwood received the Visionary Leadership Award of Honor.
Together, these awardees reflect the creativity, dedication, and heart that define the LeadingAge Ohio network and continue to set new standards for aging services across the state. Recorded live at the 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show, this episode of Another Word for Living… brings you straight into the heart of the action with more than 400 colleagues and friends. Host Susan Wallace sits down with LeadingAge Ohio’s outgoing chair, Kristi Strawser, and incoming chair, Rick Marshall, for a thoughtful conversation about the past year’s milestones - PACE expansion, advocacy wins, stronger partnerships, and new member-focused programs - and a look at what’s ahead for the association’s future.
Listen here or on any major podcast platform. 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!
Top Congress has begun shaping federal funding for fiscal year 2026, with major implications for aging services providers and the older adults they serve.
In late July, the Senate approved its version of the Labor-HHS-Education spending bill. The House is now considering its own bill, which differs in several key areas. You can read more about the Senate committee action and the House’s markup process on the LeadingAge website.
Meanwhile, negotiations on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations will continue past the October 1 start of the fiscal year. LeadingAge urges members to use the coming weeks to press their elected officials to support the higher Senate committee funding levels. Members can use LeadingAge’s Action Alerts to easily contact policymakers.
In addition to appropriations advocacy, LeadingAge submitted formal comments on two proposed federal rules. To the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), LeadingAge stressed that deep cuts to Medicare fee-for-service home health payments would severely limit older adults’ access to care. Read more about LeadingAge’s comments to CMS.
To the Department of Labor (DOL), LeadingAge opposed a proposed rule that would eliminate Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protections for home care workers, arguing that such a change would destabilize the workforce. Read LeadingAge’s comments to DOL.
LeadingAge will continue to advocate on all fronts—funding, workforce, and access to care—as fiscal year 2026 negotiations and rulemaking progress. As America ages, the demand for staff across all roles in aging services continues to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 20% of the population was age 65 or older in 2024, compared with just 12.4% two decades earlier.
Throughout September, LeadingAge will observe National Workforce Development Month by sharing resources, strategies, and innovative practices designed to support providers in building and sustaining a strong workforce. Content will feature expertise from the LeadingAge Knowledge Center, initiatives from State Partners, and successful member-led programs.
Members are encouraged to follow LeadingAge on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram to access tools and ideas all month long—and to share their own workforce development initiatives using the social media toolkit. Visit the National Workforce Development Month campaign page for updates and resources throughout September.
LeadingAge Ohio is also proud to offer workforce tools year-round. Explore Gateways to Care, our statewide hub connecting job seekers with careers in aging services, and visit the LeadingAge Ohio Careers page to discover open opportunities across the field. Top Ohio’s Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy has been elected president of the ADvancing States Board of Directors, as announced this week at the Home and Community-Based Services Conference in Baltimore.
McElroy brings deep experience to the role, having previously served as vice president, secretary, and treasurer of the board. ADvancing States supports leadership and collaboration among the nation’s 56 state and territorial aging, disabilities, and long-term care agencies.
At the conference, McElroy also spotlighted AGE’s $40 million Healthy Aging Grants, which help local aging services foster independence and improve wellbeing. She also featured the Long-Term Care Quality Navigator, an online decision-support tool used by over 150,000 Ohioans to compare care options.
Read the full press release from the Ohio Department of Aging on their website. The Ohio Department of Aging will induct ten older Ohioans into the state’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at a ceremony on September 10 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. Since 1977, more than 500 Ohioans have been honored in the Hall of Fame for their significant accomplishments and for representing a positive image of aging.
The 2025 class—the largest since 2021—ranges in age from 62 to 103 and includes a social worker, a long-term care advocate, a community health champion, a volunteer firefighter, a guardian, a deacon, leaders in the aging field, a longtime public servant, and a physician who has become a social media sensation. This year’s inductees are Connie Blum of Dayton; May Juan Chen and Mary Ann Freedman of Akron; Joseph D. Fouss of Whipple; Margaretha CJ Grootjes of The Plains; Ernest Matthew Hight Sr. of Youngstown (posthumous); Denise C. Niese of Northwood (posthumous); Fran Ryan and Jean E. Thompson of Columbus; and Dr. Howard J. Tucker of Cleveland Heights.
“These 10 amazing inductees show the depth and breadth of what is possible from older Ohioans,” said AGE Director Ursel J. McElroy. “They are all truly deserving of this honor, and we are greatly looking forward to recognizing them in September.” The ceremony will be livestreamed through the Ohio Channel beginning at 1 p.m. on September 10.
Read the full announcement on the Ohio Department of Aging’s website. Top On September 2, 2025, CMS posted notice regarding several Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) and Survey & Certification (S&C) memoranda that have now expired. Some of these memos had already lapsed in prior years, while others expired more recently on April 28, 2025. The key takeaway from this posting is that CMS is providing clarity: providers should not look to expired memos for direction but instead reference current requirements outlined in the State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix PP, or in newer QSO memos when applicable.
Key Expired Memos and Where to Look Now
- QSO-21-19-NH (COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements): Expired April 28, 2025. Now refer to: QSO-25-11-NH for respiratory illness reporting and F887 in Appendix PP for COVID-19 immunization requirements.
- S&C: 10-28-NH (Point of Care Devices & Infection Control): Expired April 28, 2025. Now refer to: F880 in Appendix PP for infection control standards, including fingerstick devices and blood glucose meters.
- S&C: 14-25-NH (Single Use Device Reprocessing under F441): Expired April 28, 2025. Now refer to: F880 in Appendix PP for infection control requirements regarding single-use devices.
- S&C: 17-30-Hospitals/CAHs/NHs (Legionella Risk Reduction): Superseded July 16, 2018. Now refer to: Revised QSO-17-30 for updated requirements regarding Legionnaires’ Disease prevention.
- S&C: 12-22-NH (HAI Prevention Environmental Scan): Expired December 31, 2012. Note: This was a time-limited environmental scan and is no longer in effect.
- QSO-24-08-NH (Enhanced Barrier Precautions for MDROs): Expired April 28, 2025. Now refer to: F880 in Appendix PP for current guidance on enhanced barrier precautions.
- S&C: 13-09-NH (Laundry and Infection Control under F441): Expired April 28, 2025. Now refer to: F880 in Appendix PP for infection control requirements related to laundry and water management.
Top This week, LeadingAge Ohio learned that the Department of Medicaid will be issuing guidance clarifying the implementation of the transition to the patient-driven payment model (PDPM) for calculation of the case mix factor applied in the Medicaid payment formula for nursing homes. Specifically, Medicaid will be clarifying the implementation dates for each phase of the transition.
HB96 states that:
“In fiscal year 2027, the increase or decrease to a nursing facility's direct care rate shall be two-thirds of the difference between the direct care rate on January 1, 2025, and the direct care rate determined utilizing case mix scores calculated in accordance with section 5165.192 of the Revised Code. Thereafter, a nursing facility's direct care rate shall be determined utilizing case mix scores calculated in accordance with section 5165.192 of the Revised Code.”
The point in question is whether “thereafter” refers to fiscal year 2028, or if it could refer to the January 1, 2028 ratesetting, which is after the beginning of fiscal year 2027. LeadingAge Ohio will include the guidance in forthcoming editions of The Source. Questions regarding this may be sent to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org. This week, the Ohio Department of Medicaid announced that it had identified a problem with patient liability / share of cost (SOC) not displaying correctly on patient records in the Fiscal Intermediary via the Provider Network Management Model. ODM is working with its OMES vendors and anticipates the issue will be resolved by tomorrow, September 5. If this issue is resolved timely, then claims submitted for this week’s adjudication cycle will have the SOC properly deducted. However, any claims that process this week with inaccurate SOC deductions will be reprocessed by the Department. With influenza season approaching, facilities should ensure the Medical Director is actively involved in developing and approving immunization policies. According to the State Operations Manual Appendix PP, F883 (§483.80(d)), influenza and pneumococcal vaccines may be administered pursuant to physician-approved facility policy after an individualized assessment for medical contraindications. The facility and Medical Director should review and update policies to reflect current standards of practice and confirm alignment with §483.21(b)(3)(i) (professional standards of quality—F658) and F880 (infection prevention and control).
An effective immunization program involves collaborating with the medical director to develop resident care policies for immunization(s) that reflect current standards of practice and that include:
- Physician approved policies for orders of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines (administration must be based on an assessment of each resident for possible medical contraindications – see 483.30(b)(3), F711, for physician orders for vaccinations);
- Review of the resident’s record of vaccination and immunization status, including assessment for potential medical contraindications;
- How pertinent information and education will be provided to residents or their representatives. The facility may wish to use educational resources such as those provided by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)120F1; and
- The vaccination schedule including mechanisms for recording and monitoring for administration of both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in accordance with national recommendations.
Facilities should also routinely monitor compliance using the surveyor guidance outlined in the State Operations Manual Appendix PP. The latest Five-Star Reports and SNF Trend Reports are now available for members to download from the LeadingAge Quality Metrics website. Reports are also being loaded into the LeadingAge Report Portal and will be accessible there once the upload is complete. These updates include July 2025 data, with MDS-based quality measures drawn from 2024Q2–2025Q1, claims-based measures from 2024Q1–2024Q4, and staffing numbers from 2025Q1.
The July refresh also incorporates a specification change to survey ratings. Rather than being based on the three most recent survey cycles, survey ratings now reflect only the two most recent cycles, while continuing to account for complaint and infection control deficiencies within the 13–36 month window. This change may impact survey scores differently depending on whether a new survey was included in the July dataset. Members can review statewide impacts in the analysis provided alongside the Trend Reports.
Additionally, you likely saw that the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled in favor of LeadingAge Ohio and Ohio nursing homes in its decision pertaining to the quality incentive payment (QIP). As of yet, Medicaid has not shared its plans for adjusting the quality-based portion of the payment, nor has it clarified intentions related to QIP payments going back to July 2023. LeadingAge Ohio is in active conversations with the Department and will update members as soon as more information is available. Ohio nursing homes now have access to a new statewide resource designed to strengthen care through education and expert guidance. The Excellence in Clinical & Educational Learning (EXCEL) Academy, launched in August 2024 by Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel J. McElroy, is open to all facilities at no cost.
EXCEL’s first courses focus on access and quality improvement, covering topics such as medication optimization, infection prevention and control, nutrition, and hospitalization. Additional courses will be added over time to meet the needs of different providers and ensure staff have ongoing opportunities for development.
The academy builds on the success of the Department of Aging’s Regional Rapid Response Assistance Program (R3AP), which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver urgent, on-site support from clinical experts. R3AP continues to assist facilities today, but its impact also inspired the Governor’s Nursing Home Quality & Accountability Task Force to recommend a broader, more permanent support system — leading to EXCEL.
Nursing homes may now apply to upcoming EXCEL cohorts, including those focused on severe mental illness and infection prevention. More information is available on the Ohio Department of Aging’s EXCEL Academy page, and applications can be submitted through the CareCenter portal. This week, the Ohio Department of Medicaid followed up on its August 19 guidance to nursing facilities (NFs) currently approved for the NF Private Room Incentive Payment. The earlier guidance informed them of the need to submit documentation to verify compliance with the July 1, 2025 requirements for continued participation in the program.
The submission portal is now open and can be accessed here.
NFs that meet the compliance requirements will remain eligible to bill the incentive rates for approved private rooms. Facilities that do not meet the requirements or fail to submit their information on time will lose their eligibility and will no longer be able to bill for or receive the private room incentive payment for dates of service on or after July 1, 2025. However, providers will be permitted to reapply once compliant, as long as funding is still available.
Additional information is available online at: NF Private Room Fact Sheet. Top Has your organization recently celebrated a major milestone? Opened a new building? Been featured in the news? Whether it’s a groundbreaking, an award, or a great story from your community, we want to help spread the word.
LeadingAge Ohio members are doing incredible work across the state, and we’re proud to highlight those efforts. Share your press releases, social media posts, or media coverage with us and we’ll feature them in the Member News section of The Source. We may also help amplify your story on LeadingAge Ohio’s social media channels.
To submit a news item, simply email Laurinda Johnson at ljohnson@leadingageohio.org. We can’t wait to celebrate your success! Top LeadingAge Ohio holds valuable education webinars and in-person events throughout the year. Opportunities are added weekly. See the complete Schedule of Events. Top
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