Weekly Wrap - October 2, 2026

This week on HealthCap Weekly Wrap, we examine a new HHS Office of Inspector General report that found Medicare Advantage plans overturned ninety-five percent of appealed skilled nursing facility admission denials, raising important questions about resident access to post-acute care. We also review CMS's new federal monitoring survey guidance, a major Medicaid community engagement requirement set to take effect in 2027, and updated CDC infection surveillance expectations that continue to shape infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship efforts throughout senior care communities. In addition, we discuss a new prescribing guideline recommending regular medication reviews for adults age sixty-five and older to help address medication overload and improve medication appropriateness. Finally, we take a behind-the-scenes look at CMS's new writing skills training for surveyors and what it reveals about documentation expectations during the survey process. Join us as we break down the week's most important regulatory, clinical, and operational developments affecting senior care providers across the country.