What’s new: The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual v17.0 and accompanying Risk Adjustment Appendix File are now available.

• The manual was effective beginning January 1, 2025, and contains detailed specifications for the MDS 3.0 QMs. The updated guidance will not have a significant impact on measure calculations.

About the updates: Guidance on the selection of MDS Section GG item columns (e.g., admission, discharge, OBRA/interim) has been revised to clarify that Section GG item values are determined by the target and/or prior MDS assessment’s qualifying reason for assessment (RFA). Additional guidance on which GG item column to select when the target and/or prior assessment has more than one qualifying RFA, is also provided. These changes are noted in the following long-stay measures:

• Percent of Residents Whose Need for Help with Activities of Daily Living Has Increased (LS)
• Percent of Residents Whose Ability to Walk Independently Worsened (LS)