The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a notice in the Federal Register on August 19, 2026, providing notice of a new system of records related to the nurse incentive program, titled “Nurses for Nursing Homes Program (NNHP),” in the Nursing Home Staffing Campaign, a possible signal that the program is moving forward.
In February 2026, CMS reopened the Notice of Funding Opportunity that allowed nursing schools, nursing associations, and other qualified entities to apply to act as Financial Incentive Administrators for the program, helping to disburse funds to program-participating nurses working in eligible nursing homes. At that time, CMS expected to select Financial Incentive Administrators in summer 2026 who would then begin establishing the infrastructure for administering financial incentives.
The Federal Register notice on August 19 appears to be relevant to this process and may indicate that CMS is on track with the program timeline. The new system of records establishes the infrastructure by which CMS will collect and track records of individuals who apply for, participate in, or otherwise support the Nurses for Nursing Homes Program. Records will include information such as identity, training and education, employment, and financial information of nurse applicants. Information will be provided and/or verified by nurse applicants, National Government Services, Internal Revenue Service and Department of the Treasury, and others as well as participating nursing homes.
CMS has still not released detailed information on how nursing homes will be selected or deemed eligible for participation in the program, though it appears that participation will be limited to nursing homes in rural and underserved areas. Despite a clear need for further information from CMS on details of the program and program implementation, LeadingAge does view this development as a positive step forward for this program that will help to recruit new nurses into the field of nursing homes and long-term care.
