News for MDS Experts

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measure Calculations and Reporting User's Manual v8.0 and accompanying files are now available. The accompanying documents include a V7.0 to V8.0 Change Table, Risk Adjustment Appendix File, Imputation Appendix File, and HCC ICD-10 crosswalks. These documents serve as an update to the specifications used to calculate quality measures that are included in the SNF QRP effective October 1, 2026.
cstu.io/a2401d
cstu.io/aa9312 ... See MoreSee Less

Effective with the September 2026 refresh, nursing homes that perform highly, in addition to the traditional 5-star rating, will have a trophy icon. 🏆 These nursing homes have fewer citations (safety violations), higher staffing levels, and other quality indicators. Please refer to the CMS Memorandum QSO-26-14-NH for more information. Changes are identified in red, italicized text.
cstu.io/002edc
cstu.io/c05338
cstu.io/e92a28 ... See MoreSee Less

The Five-Star rating preview reports for nursing homes were available in iQIES on September 23, 2026. Nursing Home Care Compare will update with the September Five-Star data on or around September 30, 2026.
cstu.io/012f50
cstu.io/b38c57 ... See MoreSee Less

Learn from leaders who understand the role because they have lived it.

Barbara Bates and Linda Winston bring decades of real-world long-term care, nursing leadership, education, quality improvement, and survey experience to the DNS-CT® classroom.

This is more than certification preparation—it is an opportunity to learn practical leadership strategies from experienced teachers who understand the everyday challenges Directors of Nursing face.

Join Barbara and Linda for four days of interactive virtual learning during the upcoming DNS-CT Certification Workshop.
📅 October 20–23, 2026
🎓 22.5 CE credits

Scan the QR code to learn more and register.

#dnsct #NursingLeadership #directorofnursing #LongTermCareLeaders #NurseEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #AAPACN #MDSCONSULTANTS ... See MoreSee Less

🚨The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.20.11 is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.20.11 will be 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝟭, 𝟮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯: Clarified that State or payer requirements do not replace, modify, or add to CMS coding requirements for non–Section S items.
-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮: Assessments for the RAI: New information regarding resident transfers during a public health emergency.
-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔: Identification Information: Updated ethnicity and race reassessment guidance and removed the resident interview icon from several items.
-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖: Cognitive Patterns and D: Mood: Clarified language for coding when multiple resident interviews are conducted during the look-back period (e.g., Brief Interview for Mental Status [BIMS] and Resident Mood Interview [PHQ-2 to 9©]).
-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠: Skin Conditions: Updated guidance regarding coding pressure ulcers/injuries that are present on admission and that subsequently heal then reopen; added new information on advanced wound care dressings, skin substitutes, and adhesive bandages.
-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢: Special Treatments, Procedures, and Programs: Refined isolation criteria and skilled respiratory therapy guidance.
-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟲: Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS): Revised terminology related to depression signs and symptoms.
Various minor alignments, clarifications, and corrections have been implemented throughout; specifics can be found in the included chapter/section change tables following the guidance.
cstu.io/5ae0e6 ... See MoreSee Less

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻!

Join MDS Consultants virtually November 10–13, 2026, for the AAPACN Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified (RAC-CT®) Certification Workshop, led by Jessica Stucin.

Increase your knowledge of clinical assessment and care planning, completion of the MDS, the regulations surrounding the RAI/MDS process, and managing the PDPM. Having the RAC-CT credential behind your name shows that you are a knowledgeable and capable MDS professional.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
• Four days of virtual instruction
• 22.5 continuing education hours
• Access to all 10 RAC-CT certification exams
• One year from the workshop date to complete the exams

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴:
• AAPACN member: $800
• Non-member: $1,026
• AAPACN membership plus workshop: $970

📅 November 10–13, 2026
💻 Virtual
🎓 Led by Jessica Stucin
🏢 Hosted by MDS Consultants

Reserve your seat: cstu.io/3ac269/

#RACT #MDSCoordinator #MDSProfessionals #MDS #ResidentAssessment #PDPM #SkilledNursing #LongTermCare #NursingEducation #MDSConsultants

Cancellation Policy: The Parties are not responsible for any fees incurred due to cancellations or postponements. Participant cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to workshops@AAPACN.org. Participants who are unable to attend may send a substitute in their place. Cancellations received more than thirty (30) business days prior to the start date of the workshop will receive a full refund. Cancellations received fourteen to thirty (14–30) business days prior to the start date of the workshop will receive a full refund, minus a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar ($250.00) processing fee, of which two-hundred and twenty-five dollars ($225.00) is paid to Training Partner and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) is paid to Association. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received thirteen (13) business days or less prior to the start date of the Training Workshop except for emergencies or a visit from state surveyors. State surveyors must be present in the participant’s building in order for the participant to receive a refund. Neither party shall issue a refund for any participant’s withdrawal due to weather unless the Training Workshop is cancelled. ... See MoreSee Less

Do you know what’s behind the name of a Medicare audit and what it could mean for your facility?

Join us October 6 for What’s in a Name? Understanding the Basic Types of Medicare Audits (Part 1).
We’ll break down the different types of Medicare audits, what can trigger them, what documentation and MDS data may be reviewed, and proactive strategies your team can use to prepare.

📅 October 6
💻 Live Webinar
👉 Register here: cstu.io/71950b/

Don’t see the Register button? Join MDS Experts for access to our webinars, education and resources.

#MDS #SkilledNursing #MedicareAudits #SNF #LongTermCare #MDSCoordinator #Compliance #MDSExperts ... See MoreSee Less

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, honor the heroes who answered the call, and recognize the strength and unity shown in the days that followed.

We will never forget.

#neverforget #September11 #PatriotDay #911Remembrance ... See MoreSee Less

The August update of Appendix B to the MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual contains changes to the list of State RAI Coordinators, MDS Automation Coordinators, and CMS locations and contacts.
www.cms.gov/files/document/appendix-b-august-2026-pdf.pdf?utm_source=contentstudio.io&utm_medium=...
www.cms.gov/files/document/changes-appendix-b-august-2026-pdf.pdf?utm_source=contentstudio.io&utm... ... See MoreSee Less