CMS Posts FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Update Effective October 1

What’s new: CMS posted the 2027 ICD-10-CM files which contain information on the ICD-10-CM updates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. These 2026 ICD-10-CM codes are... Read More

CMS Releases Fact Sheet on OBRA Discharge Assessments

What’s new: CMS has released a fact sheet to help skilled nursing facilities determine when an OBRA Discharge assessment is required. The resource provides a... Read More

Four MDS Coding Mistakes Catching CMS Attention

What we’re reading: A recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News outlines four MDS coding mistakes that may draw greater attention from CMS. These insights... Read More

CMS Updates SNF Data Validation Process FAQs

What’s new: CMS recently updated its Data Validation Process Frequently Asked Questions document with several revisions:  CMS added new FAQs addressing how facilities should designate Points of... Read More

New iQIES MDS 3.0 Resident-Level Quality Measure Report Enhancement

 

 

Read More

CMS Clarifies Details Around the Long-Stay Antipsychotic Measure

CMS posted an errata change table document to the MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User's Manual v18.0. This document is related to the clarification of details for... Read More

New CMS Resource on the Impact of Combined MDS Assessment on SNF QRP Compliance

What’s new: CMS has published a fact sheet, Impact of Combined MDS Assessments on SNF APU illustrating how Medicare 5-Day and Prospective Payment System (PPS)... Read More

CMS SNF VBP Data Validation Is Underway; Check iQIES for Notification

What’s happening The CMS data validation process for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) and Quality Reporting (SNF QRP) programs is now underway.... Read More

New Resource for the Data Validation Process for SNF MDS Assessment-Based Measures

What’s new: CMS is offering a recorded presentation which describes the new data validation process SNF MDS Assessment-Based Measures. This training will support facilities in... Read More

CMS Delays the Start of the SNF Data Validation Process Timeline to January 2026

CMS notified providers that the SNF Data Validation Process for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) and Quality Reporting (SNF QRP) programs will... Read More

CMS Posts Updated MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual with Updates to the Long-Stay Antipsychotic Medication Use Measure

What’s new: The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version v18.0 is now available along with associated files. Key updates to the... Read More

CMS Posts Updates to the Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.20.1 and MDS Item Sets

The posted final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.20.1 and MDS item sets v1.20.1v4 have been updated to align with... Read More

What to Know about MDS and OSA for October 1

What’s happening: On October 1, 2025, Virginia Medicaid shifted from a RUGs-based system to the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). This change affects how nursing... Read More

Now Available: The Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual

Check out the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.20.1, which is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set... Read More

Important Compliance and Regulatory Reminders

Important reminder for providers: Federal and state regulations require background checks and registry screenings to be completed and documented before an individual begins working in... Read More

CMS Releases Finalized MDS Item Sets and Matrix Effective October 1, 2025

What’s new: CMS has posted the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version 1.20.1v3 and Item Matrix v1.20.1v3 in the Downloads section of its MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument... Read More

Now Available: ICD-10-CM Code Update Files

What’s new: The CDC posted an updated ICD-10-CM code files to address revisions to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and other typographical errors.... Read More

MDS 3.0 Assessment Deletion Request Forms Available in iQIES

Now online: Individuals with certain iQIES user roles may complete the MDS 3.0 Manual Individual Correction/Deletion Request form online. The form is required under certain... Read More

CMS Posts Updated MDS 3.0 Quality Measure User’s Manual

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... Read More

CMS Releases MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual Hyperlink Update Supplement

What’s new: CMS has released a new document titled the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual (v1.19.1R Hyperlink Update Supplement. Replacement... Read More

CMS Posts Final MDS 3.0 Item Sets Version 1.19.1

What to know: The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.19.1 and Item Matrix are now available in the Downloads section on... Read More

DMAS Schedules Meetings with MCOs on OSA Claims Issues

What’s happening: DMAS will hold separate meetings with specific managed care organizations (MCOs) to discuss lingering claims issues related to the initial roll-out of the... Read More

CMS Updates MDS Manual to Correct Errors

CMS posted errata updates to the Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument (MDS-RAI) Manual, version 1.18.11 on the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual page effective October 1, 2023.   The... Read More

CMS Posts New BIMS MDS Assessment Coding Guidance Video

CMS posted a new brief interview for mental status (BIMS) video to help providers completing the MDS assessment BIMS items C0200-C0500 to determine when to stop the... Read More

Q&A Document and Training for the Optional State Assessment

In follow-up to the DMAS bulletin Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes effective October 1, 2023, we are sharing a brief Q&A document to help you... Read More

DMAS Bulletin on MDS Changes Posted

What’s new: DMAS posted a new bulletin with information about using the Optional State Assessment (OSA) to generate a Virginia Medicaid RUG-IV billing code for... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section Q

Over recent weeks, we have highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section O

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section J and N Changes

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section GG Changes

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section D Changes

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section B Changes

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 issued on April 3,... Read More

In Focus: MDS Section A Changes

Over the coming weeks: We will highlight different sections of the MDS Item Sets version 1.18.11 and the draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version... Read More

CMS & VHCA-VCAL Training on SNF MDS 3.0 RAI

CMS is offering a virtual training program that provides instruction on the updated guidance for the SNF Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument... Read More

New Registration Process for MDS Submissions Coming Online

What’s happening: CMS is transitioning the system for MDS submissions to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) in early 2023. All current and... Read More

July Webinars Explore COVID-19 Effects on Pharmacy Services and MDS

We are hosting two webinars offering NAB credit in July on COVID-19’s impact on pharmacy services and medication management and MDS. Reserve your spots today!... Read More

MDS Isolation Coding Guidance Remains Unchanged

CMS indicates that providers should continue to code residents for the O0100M isolation item located in Chapter 3 of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v... Read More

DMAS Issues MDS Section S Guidance Document

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has issued its Guidance Document to MDS Section S.  The updates are effective October 1, 2018. VHCA-VCAL is... Read More

Upcoming Education: MDS and Dementia Care Programs

Make your plans now for upcoming education programs: August 23: 2018 MDS Changes, and October 23: Dementia: Recognizing Changes & Developing Personalized Approaches to Care... Read More

CMS Clarifies October 1 MDS Changes

Cil Bullard, the State RAI/OASIS Coordinator, has provided guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on three questions about correct MDS coding... Read More

QTSO Memo Regarding OMRAs

An issue has been identified with MDS 3.0 assessment records submitted to the ASAP (Assessment Submission and Processing) system beginning October 1, 2016, through November... Read More