News for MDS Experts

The Five-Star rating preview reports for nursing homes were available in iQIES on February 19, 2026. Nursing Home Care Compare will update with the February Five-Star data on or around February 25, 2026. Login to iQIES to access the Five Star reports.
Important Note: The Five-Star Helpline (800-839-9290) will be available February 23-27, 2026. For assistance logging into iQIES, please contact the iQIES Service Center via email (iQIES@cms.hhs.gov) or by phone (800-339-9313).
cstu.io/e454a5 ... See MoreSee Less

CMS will host a Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Technical Informational call for vendors and software developers on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 1pm ET.
Please register here to attend the call:
cstu.io/193877

This technical information call will cover topics such as:
- PBJ Data Specifications
- QIES System Updates
- Submitted Questions & Answers

The PBJ Data Specifications V4.10.0 effective after March 22, 2026 are posted on the CMS web site at: cstu.io/fe8525. Attendees may submit questions to the iQIES@cms.hhs.gov. Please include "PBJ TECH CALL" in the subject line. Questions must be e-mailed prior to 6:00 pm ET on Monday, February 23, 2026.

***** CMS strongly recommends that all PBJ vendors and software developers attend this call. *****

If you have any questions about the information above, please contact the iQIES Service Center by email at iqies@cms.hhs.gov or by phone at 1-800-339-9313.
cstu.io/3039ef ... See MoreSee Less

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝟭 & 𝟮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗛𝗖𝗔 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟱–𝟮𝟲.

This comprehensive introduction to MDS 3.0 is designed for MDS Coordinators and interdisciplinary team members who want to strengthen assessment scheduling, PDPM understanding, CAA processes, and reimbursement compliance.

Kristine Martinez and Jessica Stucin will guide participants through core MDS data elements, OBRA/PPS scheduling, Medicare basics, and PDPM components — with practical application throughout.

This is a live-only program.
Registration and details: cstu.io/648622

#SNFLife #LongTermCare #MDSExpert #NurseEducation #ADAYINTHELIFEOFANMDSCOORDINATOR #MDSTRAINING ... See MoreSee Less

We’re looking forward to being at AAPACN this year.

Across multiple states, we’re continuing to see facilities work through PDPM refinements, documentation alignment challenges, and reimbursement trends that warrant closer attention.

If you’re attending, stop by Booth 314 to:
• Pick up a complimentary PDPM Score Card
• Talk through a documentation or coding concern
• Compare approaches to PDPM strategy

📍 Booth 314

We look forward to connecting.

#AAPACN #PDPM #MDS #LongTermCare #SNFLeadership #MDSCONSULTANTS #MDSSUPPORT #MDSTRAININGANDEDUCATION ... See MoreSee Less

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱.

If Section J has felt a little unclear lately, you’re not alone.
Tomorrow, we’re breaking it down.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
📅 February 24

We’ll walk through:
• The updated fall definition
• What truly qualifies as a “major” fall
• Injury coding updates
• Intercepted falls & pathological fractures
• The impact on your Quality Measures
• Practical strategies to strengthen documentation and prevention processes

If falls have been triggering questions in your building — this conversation may be worth being part of.

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗝.

Register to receive your personal login link:
cstu.io/edb246

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗝 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.
#MDSConsultants #MDSCoding #SectionJ #LongTermCare #SNFLeadership #QualityMeasures #FallPrevention #RAIManual #MDSExpert ... See MoreSee Less

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝟯.𝟬.

NEHCA is partnering with MDS Consultants to offer an intensive, live virtual training designed to provide a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the RAI process and MDS 3.0.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟯𝟬 – 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. CT
💻 Virtual | Live Instruction

This training will provide a comprehensive understanding of the RAI process and the intricacies of MDS 3.0, including:

✔ Understand the requirements for correct and timely completion of MDS 3.0 resident assessments
✔ Discuss the impact of specific MDS items on reimbursement and quality measure scores
✔ Identify common MDS errors and strategies to avoid inaccuracies
✔ Improve accuracy in reporting and care planning
✔ Support compliance with regulatory standards

Led by Jessica Stucin, RN, BSN, LNHA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, QCP
𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

🔗https://https://cstu.io/c1b44d

#nehca #mds30 #raiprocess #longtermcare #skillednursing #QualityMeasures #MDSConsultants ... See MoreSee Less

🎉 We’re kicking off our 2026 Education Year with AAPACN!

MDS Consultants is proud to begin our 2026 education year as an AAPACN Training Partner, starting with the QAPI Certified Professional (QCP®) Workshop in April 2026.

This nationally recognized workshop is designed to help facilities move beyond compliance and strengthen meaningful QAPI programs that truly impact resident care.
📅 QCP® | April 14–17, 2026
🖥️ Virtual | Eastern Time
🎓 15 Continuing Education Credits

🔗 Register at cstu.io/5568d2

Follow us for additional AAPACN certification opportunities throughout 2026.

#AAPACN #AAPACNTrainingPartner #QCP #QAPI #MDSConsultants #SNFEducation #LongTermCare #NurseLeadership #Compliance #QualityImprovement ... See MoreSee Less

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱. 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱.
If Section J has felt confusing lately, you’re not alone.

Join us February 24 for:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

We’ll break down:
• The updated fall definition
• What qualifies as a “major” fall
• Injury coding changes
• Intercepted falls & pathological fractures
• How this all affects your Quality Measures
• Practical strategies to strengthen fall prevention and improve MDS accuracy

This session is designed for administrators, DONs, NACs, MDS coordinators, nurse managers, and the interdisciplinary team.

Register to receive your personal login link: www.mdsexpert.com/webinars-training/

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗝 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

#MDSConsultants #MDSCoding #SectionJ #SNFLeadership #LongTermCare #QualityMeasures #FallPrevention #RAIManual #MDSExpert ... See MoreSee Less