News for MDS Experts

Quality Measures don't just impact care—they impact reimbursement.

Join Jessica Stucin and Kristine Martinez as they break down how SNF Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) is changing the way facilities monitor quality measures, prepare for survey, and protect reimbursement.

In this session you'll learn:
✔️ How SNF VBP quality measures affect your facility
✔️ Which MDS 3.0 QMs connect to Care Compare and Five-Star
✔️ Strategies to prepare for upcoming SNF QRP changes

📅 July 7
🎓 QM Series – Part 4

Reserve your spot today!
👉 www.mdsexpert.com/webinars-training/?utm_source=linkedin,%20facebook&utm_medium=social%20media&ut...

#MDSExperts #SNFVBP #QualityMeasures #MDS #LongTermCare #SkilledNursing #CareCompare #FiveStar #SNFQRP #HealthcareEducation ... See MoreSee Less

📢MLN Fact Sheet: Skilled Nursing Facility 3-Day Rule Billing Update
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙? They included information on the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) 3-Day Rule Waiver (page 3).
3-Day Rule Waiver Certain Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO) participation options (called tracks) and CMS Innovation Center models offer the opportunity to use—or apply for, in the case of the Shared Savings Program—a SNF 3-Day Rule Waiver. Models include: ● ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) ● Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) Participants in models, as well as track participants with an approved SNF 3-Day Rule Waiver, can offer SNF services without a prior 3-day inpatient hospitalization. This waiver may apply when the patient meets eligibility criteria and is admitted to an approved SNF.
www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/mln-publications-ite... ... See MoreSee Less

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 - Manual Update I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: The purpose of this Change Request (CR) is to add manual instructions for a Medicare beneficiary's date of death and reporting instructions for a beneficiary's date of death. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 13, 2026 *Unless otherwise specified, the effective date is the date of service. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: July 13, 2026.
www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/transmittals/2026-transmittals/r13826cp/?utm_source=con... ... See MoreSee Less

🚨𝗧𝗼: 𝗣𝗕𝗝 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is excited to share that the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system will move into iQIES on 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. iQIES is a secure, cloud‑based system that CMS uses to collect and manage quality and compliance information. Moving PBJ into iQIES is part of ongoing work to modernize systems and improve security. Starting August 17, 2026, you must submit all PBJ staffing data in iQIES. Your reporting requirements and quarterly deadlines will not change.
𝘊𝘔𝘚 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. Correction: qtso.cms.gov/news-and-updates/correction-iqies-pbj-launch-announcement
***Please see the corrected task numbering below.
Create a HCQIS Access Roles and Profile System (HARP) account - Skip this step if you already have a HARP If you do not have an account, register here.
Request access to iQIES- Submit your request early so your access is ready before launch. Although you may request your PBJ role before August 17 (and CMS strongly recommends you do so), PBJ functionality will not be available for use in iQIES until August 17, 2026.
Choose the correct PBJ role within iQIES - Role descriptions are listed below.
PSO: Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. This role also approves user access.
PBJ Submitter (Provider or Vendor): Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports.
Provider Administrator: View-only access and run PBJ reports.
PBJ Viewer: View-only access and run PBJ reports.
Additional information on roles can be found in the iQIES Onboarding Process - Provider User Roles Manual posted on the iQIES Reference and Manuals on QTSO under iQIES Onboarding Guides.
Get approval from your facility's Provider Security Official (PSO)- Your access will not become active until they approve it. Each facility must have at least one PSO to manage access for additional users.
Once you register for an iQIES account, be sure to log in regularly. If you do not log in for 60 days, you’ll lose access to iQIES. Additional information on the iQIES Inactive User Policy can be found on QTSO.
Vendors must request access for each facility they represent and get approval from a PSO at each facility, using the facility’s CMS Certification Number (CCN). ... See MoreSee Less

The Five-Star rating preview reports for nursing homes will be available in iQIES on June 17, 2026. Nursing Home Care Compare will update with the June Five-Star data on or around June 24, 2026.
Important Note: The Five-Star Helpline (800-839-9290) will be available June 22-26, 2026. For assistance logging into iQIES, please contact the iQIES Service Center via email (iQIES@cms.hhs.gov) or by phone (800-339-9313).
qtso.cms.gov/news-and-updates/notice-five-star-rating-preview-reports-june-2026 ... See MoreSee Less

Quality Measures matter — and knowing what counts matters even more.

Join MDS Experts on June 23 for Quality Measures and SNF QRP: What Counts and Why It Matters, Part 3 of our Quality Measures Series.

This session will cover SNF QRP quality measures, iQIES reports, and strategies to help facilities monitor and prepare for changes that impact quality, compliance, reimbursement, and survey readiness.

Join MDS Experts to access this webinar and all upcoming education.

👉 cstu.io/ed90c8

#mdsexperts #MDSCONSULTANTS #QualityMeasures #snfqrp #longtermcare #SkilledNursing #MDS #nursinghomeeducation #SNF #HealthcareCompliance ... See MoreSee Less

iQIES Survey & Certification Job Aid Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) has been updated effective 6/2/2026 and posted 6/8/2026.
An Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) provides an opportunity for providers to dispute cited deficiencies after receiving CMS-2567. An Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) provides an external review when a Civil Money Penalty (CMP) is imposed. The job aid includes instruction how to create an IDR or IIDR, submitting the request, update and records results, and update citations based on IDR or IIDR results.
qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/iQIES%20IDR-IIDR%20Job%20Aid%20v2.0%20FINAL%2006.02.26_508.pdf ... See MoreSee Less