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 (RAI) Manual page. The MDS Item Sets will be effective beginning October 1, 2025.

With increased attention on MDS practices at both the state and federal levels:

• Check out this recent AHCA blog post on Reminder: MDS & Resident Assessments Roles and Responsibilities, and
• Register for our October 16 education program led by Judy Wilhide Brandt, The Role of MDS in Survey, Quality Measurement & Virginia Medicaid Payment.

The details on the item sets: The MDS item sets include the following notable changes: 

• A0800, Gender, is changed to A0810, Sex.
• The transportation item A1250 has been updated and simplified under A1255. 
• The removal of most therapy items under O0400, which are replaced with a simplified item O0390, Therapy Services. 
• Section R (which included several items for social determinants of health) was removed as outlined in the FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule.