PBJ News Topic

PBJ Research & Analysis

New research examines if nursing home staff turnover a good quality metric

March 1, 2021

Our Take: Research using PBJ staffing data shows nursing home staff turnover is associated with quality outcomes, but questions remain about whether turnover alone fully reflects facility performance. Labor shortages and market conditions…

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OIG Study: HHS watchdog probes enforcement of nursing home staffing standards

August 30, 2020

Our Take: The HHS Office of Inspector General’s review of how CMS enforces nursing home staffing requirements signals continued federal scrutiny of staffing compliance and reporting accuracy. Skilled nursing facilities should expect increased…

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Study finds nursing homes rarely have enough RNs on staff

July 30, 2019

Our Take: A review of PBJ staffing data found that most nursing homes rarely met expected registered nurse (RN) staffing levels based on resident acuity and CMS expectations. The findings highlight the growing…

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CMS strengthens nursing home oversight and safety to ensure adequate staffing

November 30, 2018

Our Take: CMS issued a November 2018 directive after using PBJ data to identify facilities with low weekend staffing or recurring days without an RN onsite. The directive requires state agencies to conduct…

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Skilled Nursing Facilities can’t just ‘check the box’ under new payroll requirements

August 14, 2018

Our Take: A QSO memo from CMS alerted PBJ world that the Five Star ratings are now going to be based on payroll-based journal data. With the transition away from 671 collected data,…

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PBJ data goes public

September 30, 2017

Our Take: The payroll based journal program shifted into a higher gear with the publication of a new CMS Survey and Certification letter. PBJ data is now publicly available and visitors to Nursing…

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CMS announces a new Payroll-Based Journal system

April 30, 2015

Our Take: The Payroll-Based Journal staffing data system was launched in April, 2015 when CMS documented the PBJ plan with several Policy Memos. These Survey & Certification Letters defined the outlines and purpose of…

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PBJ News Topics

Read about PBJ regulations, research & news impacting SNFs

Most Recent PBJ News

Staffing lawsuits increase scrutiny on employment levels & wages

July 1, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: Multiple lawsuits all turn on the same underlying evidence: payroll-based journal hours, timecards, and staffing schedules…

PBJ Reporting Moving to iQIES System

June 30, 2026

PBJ Policy & Enforcement

Our Take: CMS is retiring “QIES,” its first PBJ submission system. Starting August 17, 2026, all staffing data…

New US DOL joint employer rule impacts senior care

June 26, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a new joint employer rule under the Fair Labor Standards…

SCOTUS Upholds Administration’s Decision to Strip TPS From Haitian & Syrian Immigrants

June 25, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that federal courts cannot block the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary…

OIG Audit Finds CMS’s PBJ Oversight Fell Short: 5% of RN Staffing Hours Unsupported

June 18, 2026

Our Take: A new HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit found that CMS was not effective in…

Tort Immunity and Nursing Home Staffing

June 1, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: A study of 13,205 nursing homes found that states giving SNFs immunity from COVID-19 liability reduced…

Is minimum staffing at play in the mid-term elections?

May 20, 2026

Minimum Staffing Roundup

Our Take: Senate Democrats outlined plans to revive nursing home staffing standards, expand Medicare-covered home care, and tighten…

NJ SNF sues CMS over PBJ audits, citing no appeal rights

April 22, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: A New Jersey skilled nursing facility filed a federal lawsuit on April 21, 2026, alleging that…

Invisible staffing churn in nursing homes: CMS turnover metrics miss a growing short-term workforce

April 18, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: A Health Affairs Scholar study found that CMS’ turnover metric is likely understating real facility churn…

SNF pay rate proposals bring heightened CMS enforcement

April 10, 2026

PBJ Policy & Enforcement

Our Take: CMS has proposed a 2.4% Medicare rate increase for SNFs in FY 2027 while simultaneously expanding…

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