News for MDS Experts

🚨𝟯/𝟭𝟯/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have approved the control number for the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) (CMS-R-131). The updated ABN is effective now and expires March 31, 2029. Providers may continue to use the expired version of the ABN until May 12, 2026, but must transition to the approved form no later than that date. The Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, is issued by providers (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers to Original Medicare (fee for service - FFS) beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied. The ABN is issued in order to transfer potential financial liability to the Medicare beneficiary in certain instances.
cstu.io/a955ac
cstu.io/b144b3
cstu.io/aad071 ... See MoreSee Less

𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

With the April 2025 regulatory updates and the 2026 hybrid antipsychotic quality measure, facilities are expected to take a more structured, team-based approach to medication management.

Join us on April 7 for: Manage Psychoactive Medications to Reduce Survey Headaches (Part 1)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻:
▪️Discuss the April 2025 regulatory updates
▪️Identify high risk psychoactive medications and indications per RAI guidelines
▪️Review elements of GDR compliance
▪️Gain strategies for monitoring psychoactive medications in SNF

This session will focus on practical application, documentation support, and team collaboration to strengthen your approach.

👥 Who should attend:
Administrators, Directors of Nursing Services, Nurse Assessment Coordinators, MDS Coordinators, Clinical Nurse Managers, and MDS Interdisciplinary Team members

👉 Register: cstu.io/fb564d

#longtermcare #SNF #MDS #RegulatoryCompliance #SurveyReadiness #gdr #psychotropicmedications #NursingLeadership #HealthcareEducation ... See MoreSee Less

iQIES Survey and Certification Job Aid now has Tips and Tricks that reflect approved ways to complete work more efficiently and consistently that was posted on 3/20/2026. cstu.io/0a84c5
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙞𝙥𝙨
𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙮𝙨
𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
𝙄𝙄𝘿𝙍
𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙉𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨
𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
cstu.io/b98703 ... See MoreSee Less

iQIES has updated the Reports User Manual as Version 2.11 which was posted on 3/20/26.
cstu.io/c3c2e6
cstu.io/e5b4fc ... See MoreSee Less

Still feeling the groove from AAPACN Conference 🪩

Despite the weather trying to shut things down, it was still great connecting with so many of you—both at the booth and at the disco party.

Between the conversations and the energy at the conference, one thing is clear—facilities are continuing to work through the real impact of PDPM, documentation alignment, and reimbursement accuracy.

At the booth, we featured our PDPM Scorecard, and the response was incredible. It sparked a lot of great conversations around strategy, accuracy, and opportunities many teams are still working through.

If you’re currently navigating PDPM or documentation challenges, we’re always open to connecting and talking through it.

💡 Sometimes a quick conversation brings more clarity than a report ever could.

Also, for those looking to strengthen their processes, we’ll be hosting an upcoming QCP (QAPI Certified Professional) Workshop:
📅 April 14–17, 2026
🕛 12:00 – 4:15 PM ET
👩‍⚕️ Led by Linda Winston & Barb Bates
🌐 cstu.io/a0a6c1

Happy to share more details if you’re interested.

Looking forward to continuing the conversations started this week.

#AAPACN #MDS #PDPM #LongTermCare #SNF #HealthcareLeadership ... 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

"Careers in Aging Month is dedicated to bringing greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in long term care and aging services, and to celebrate current employees in the profession." Let's celebrate our certified nursing assistants, nurses, activity professionals, social workers, therapy services, dining staff, housekeeping, and administrative staff with careers in aging.
cstu.io/485e08 ... See MoreSee Less

🚨CMS hosted an PBJ Technical informational Call for Software Vendors and Developers on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Please see the attached minutes.
cstu.io/c18118 ... See MoreSee Less