The Real Risk Behind Care Minute Supplement

The Care Minute Supplement (CMS) is often misunderstood. It’s not a bonus — it’s part of your base funding, and failing to meet your targets effectively reduces it.

• Why Timing Matters

Even though the financial impact of mandatory care minute targets tied to CMS won’t begin until April 2026, the performance period being assessed starts much earlier — specifically in the October–December 2025 quarter.

Care minute targets for that quarter will be based on the AN-ACC case mix claimed between June and August 2025.

• The Hidden Risk

If you don’t meet your care minute targets — for both total minutes and Registered Nurse (RN) minutes — you lose access to the full funding rate.That gap is essentially a funding cut.

The real danger? Most providers don’t realise they’re falling short until the quarter is over — and the lost supplement can’t be recovered.

• Future-Proof Your Position

Even if you hit your targets today, future sustainability matters.

Rising costs, staff shortages, or minor misalignments can erode your position and lead to CMS clawbacks.

Takeaway

Not meeting your care minute target isn’t neutral — it costs you.