Deadline for Reporting Annual NHSN HCP Influenza Vaccination Data is May 18

CMS; Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF); Infection Prevention/Control; Regulations
 

The deadline for nursing homes to report health care personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination coverage in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Health Safety Network (NHSN) is fast approaching. This reporting is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the submission deadline is May 18, 2026.  

The reporting period for the 2025-2026 influenza season is from October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Facilities are only required to submit one report that covers the entire reporting period by May 18, 2026. 

Failure to report complete data in NHSN by 11:59pm on May 18th for the SNF QRP will result in a 2% reduction in the nursing home’s annual Medicare reimbursement rates.  

Tips for Reporting the Annual Influenza HCP Vaccination Data: 

  • Facilities are strongly advised not to wait until the deadline to report. If your facility has not yet submitted their data, it is advised to submit now.  
    • Data is submitted via the Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Summary Form, NOT the Seasonal Survey on Influenza Vaccination Programs for Healthcare Personnel (the latter is optional). 
  • Confirm data entry after submission: 
    • Print the data entry screen (or take a screen shot). 
    • Run the CMS Report Line Listing – HCP Flu Vaccination Data for CMS SNF PPS in the NHSN application. 
    • Training materials are available on the NHSN website.  
  • If your facility is having difficulty accessing the NHSN Health Care Personnel Safety (HPS) Component to submit this data, email NHSN@cdc.gov with “HCP Flu Summary” in the subject line and specify that you are a LTC facility.  

Questions on CMS SNF QRP requirements can be sent to SNFQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov​

AHCA has several resources available to assist with NHSN reporting, including the NHSN Tip Sheet and NHSN Help Desk Job Aid. Questions regarding these resources may be sent to the AHCA Regulatory team.