Sara Avakian focuses her practice in regulatory and operational compliance of health care providers, including long-term care facilities, senior housing entities, hospitals, and laboratories. Clients rely on Sara’s guidance to maintain compliance with state licensing and federal certification regulations.

From reviewing and drafting contracts to responding to surveys, Sara assists with resolving regulatory issues with government agencies. Sara assists providers on all operational and regulatory matters, including:

  • Responding to investigations and surveys;
  • Appealing survey findings and sanctions;
  • Training on policies and residency contracts;
  • Regulatory compliance, crisis management, and corrective active plans;
  • Drafting contracts, compliance plans, and policies;
  • Abuse, neglect, and incident investigations and reporting;
  • Life Safety Code compliance;
  • Fair Housing Act compliance;
  • Strategies for dealing with difficult families.

Sara is also able to capitalize on her litigation background to assist clients with the specialized disputes health care providers face, including administrative hearings before state and federal agencies and in state circuit courts. She routinely appears before regulatory agencies that oversee the health care industry, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, and other state and federal governmental agencies on behalf of clients. 

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2015)
    • Deans List; CALI Award in Illinois Litigation
  • Grand Valley State University (B.A., 2011)
    • Criminal Justice, Psychology; Dean's List; Order of Omega

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 2015

Professional Affiliations

  • Chicago Bar Association 
  • Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys
  • Illinois State Bar Association 

Recognition

  • Named one of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Health Care Law, 2024-2026
Publications
CMS Issues a Proposed Rule Impacting Quality Reporting, Care Compare and MDS Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities
Key Takeaways: CMS has proposed FY 2027 SNF PPS updates, including a 2.4% payment increase and changes to quality reporting and data submission. The proposal also removes certain COVID-19 measures and updates Care Compare reporting. The proposed changes would expand reporting obligations and accelerate submission timelines for skilled nursing facilities, potentially increasing administrative burden and compliance risk. Providers should assess the impact on operations and reporting processes and consider submitting comments before the June 1, 2026 deadline. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule updating the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for FY 2027. The proposed rule signals CMS’ continued shift toward tighter reporting timelines, broader data collection and reduced reliance on pandemic-era quality measures
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2026 Health Care Reimbursement Newsletter
2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for health care reimbursement. From major CMS payment rules to evolving disclosure requirements, AI scrutiny, and mounting pressure on providers across the care continuum, the 2026 Health Care Reimbursement Newsletter highlights the developments you need to understand now to stay ahead. In this issue: 2025 Wrap-Up: Key CMS Enrollment Changes and Disclosure Developments What Hospitals & ASCs Need to Know About the 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment and ASC Final Rule Durable Medical Equipment Update 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Highlights Forecasting Medicaid Challenges for Providers in 2026 Rural Health Providers Face a Tough Financial Road in 2026 – Will the Rural Health Transformation Program Save Them? Medicare Advantage Reimbursement Implications from the 2027 Proposed Rule Looking Ahead to 2026: CMS
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