News You Can Use

January 9, 2026

This is an excellent article to share with each of you as we welcome the new year.

Recently Skilled Nursing News, published an article titled “Executive Outlook 2026: ‘No

Provider Can Succeed Alone’ in Current SNF Environment” and it shared some insights

for moving forward in 2026. As a network, we already understand this concept and also

as a network we can certainly band together tighter and do more. Below we have

provided a quick summary and a link to this article.

Summary:

The nursing home sector in 2026 faces significant challenges and rapid transformation

due to payment constraints, workforce shortages, and rising expectations from the

public and government. Key themes include financial and regulatory pressures, the

growth of Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicaid uncertainty, and the necessity for data-

driven decision-making and community collaboration.

Major Trends and Challenges:

Financial Pressures: Uncertain Medicaid funding, shorter retroactive eligibility,

and state-level cuts threaten coverage and finances. MA plans bring lower

reimbursement, shorter stays, and more administrative work.

Workforce Shortages: There is a critical need to recruit, train, and retain staff,

with particular concern for shortages in rural areas and a focus on building career

ladders and upskilling.

Regulatory Environment: Increased audits, ownership transparency

requirements, infection control, and burdensome regulations are ongoing

challenges. Providers are calling for streamlined, supportive oversight and

rational incentive structures.

Technology and Innovation: Heavy investment in AI and technology is seen

across operators, supporting admissions, clinical decision-making, remote

monitoring, and workforce productivity. Virtual care and AI-enabled tools are

improving efficiency and care, especially in rural settings.

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Skilled Nursing News connected with leaders across the industry to ask their insight on

what is in store for the nursing home industry. I pulled the commonalities of each leader

to share with you.

The commonality between all the leaders is their shared focus on adapting to rapid

change through collaboration, workforce development, innovation (especially

technology and data), and advocacy for regulatory and payment reform. Each

leader recognizes that the challenges facing the nursing home sector, such as workforce shortages, payment pressures, regulatory burdens, and rising expectations

cannot be solved in isolation. Instead, they emphasize:

Collaboration and Partnerships: All leaders stress the importance of working

with other organizations, community partners, universities, and government

agencies to create integrated solutions and improve care delivery.

Workforce Investment: Every leader identifies workforce recruitment, retention,

and development as a top priority, with initiatives ranging from training programs

and career ladders to advocacy for better immigration and staffing policies.

Embracing Technology and Data: There is a universal commitment to

leveraging technology (especially AI and analytics) to improve operational

efficiency, clinical outcomes, and the overall care experience.

Advocacy and Regulatory Reform: All leaders are actively engaged in

advocating for regulatory changes that support innovation, reduce unnecessary

burdens, and ensure fair reimbursement.

Optimism and Mission-Driven Leadership: Despite the challenges, each

leader expresses optimism and a strong sense of mission to improve the quality

of life for older adults and ensure the sustainability of long-term care.

In summary, these leaders are united by a proactive, collaborative, and innovative

approach to navigating the evolving landscape of long-term care, with a central focus on

people; both those they serve and those they employ

Executive Outlook 2026: ‘No Provider Can Succeed Alone’ in Current SNF Environment

- Skilled Nursing News

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IHSN members you know this and being a part of this network allows each facility to

leverage the collective strengths of one another to manage new regulations,

uncertainties and technology.

We ended last year with a presentation from managed care MASTER; a program

designed to help you manage TO your managed care agreements and essentially

alerting to revenue opportunities that often get overlooked. One could also add that this

lends to workforce investment thought above as this builds on the work smarter and not

harder logic we all strive to achieve.

As we move into 2026, please reach out to IHSN and share with us areas that you feel

we could, collectively, focus on in Indiana. It’s as easy as joining a committee and

sharing your voice, vision and experience.