News for MDS Experts

2027 is right around the corner! Are you ready for what's ahead in skilled nursing?

Join the MDS Consultants Education Team on November 17 at 11 AM ET for Looking to 2027.

We'll discuss the FY 2027 Final Rule, OIG work plans, SNF/NF audits, MDS and Quality Measures, the nation's top 10 deficiencies, and strategies for navigating the year ahead.

Register here: cstu.io/2064d3/

#MDSConsultants #SkilledNursing #MDS #QualityMeasures #LongTermCare #NursingHomeEducation #SNF ... See MoreSee Less

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗖-𝗖𝗧® 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽!

If you complete, review, or oversee the MDS process, this workshop is an opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and work toward the nationally recognized RAC-CT credential.

📅 November 10–13, 2026
💻 Virtual
🎓 Led by Jessica Stucin
📚 22.5 continuing education hours
✅ Access to all 10 certification exams

Reserve your seat: cstu.io/27f78a/

#RACT #MDSCoordinator #MDSProfessionals #ResidentAssessment #PDPM #LongTermCare #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

𝗣𝗕𝗝 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀:
CMS has posted Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) training videos for the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on the iQIES Training Videos webpage on the QIES Technical Support Office (QTSO) website. Direct links to the videos are provided below.

𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:
PBJ Staffing Hours – Demonstrates how to use the Manual Staffing Hours Data Entry page on the Staffing Hours tab to enter and update PBJ staffing hours.
PBJ Submissions History – Demonstrates the Submission History functionality on the My Submissions tab.
PBJ Employee List– Demonstrates how to use the Manage Employee Data page on the Employee List tab to create and update employee records.
PBJ Submissions – Demonstrates how to use the PBJ File Submissions page on the My Submissions tab to upload files and view PBJ submissions.
PBJ Excel to XML Template How to Guide – This is a guide on how to use the PBJ Excel to XML templates on the Staffing Data Submission - PBJ webpage.

cstu.io/23eb75 ... See MoreSee Less

The Five-Star rating preview reports for nursing homes will be available in iQIES on October 21, 2026. Nursing Home Care Compare will update with the October Five-Star data on or around October 28, 2026.

Important Note: The Five-Star Helpline (800-839-9290) will be available October 26-30, 2026. For assistance logging into iQIES, please contact the iQIES Service Center via email (iQIES@cms.https://cstu.io/5b48b4) or by phone (800-339-9313).
cstu.io/e900a7 ... See MoreSee Less

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗗𝗦 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?

Leadership shows up in a lot of ways—through knowledge, support, problem-solving, teamwork and a commitment to getting it right.

Help us reach the professionals who deserve to be recognized.

Tag an MDS professional or nursing leader below, or share this post with someone you think should be part of The Faces of MDS Leadership 2027.Then encourage them to share their story with us!

📅 Submissions are open through November 30, 2026.

👉 cstu.io/ff2908/

#facesofmdsleadership #MDSLeadership #MDSCoordinator #NursingLeadership #longtermcare #MDSConsultants ... See MoreSee Less

✅Training & Resources for Skilled Nursing Facilities
cstu.io/cb416b
Current Skilled Nursing Facilities PEPPER User Guide (FY 2025 Release, September 2026) and Training Materials.
-Webinar recording
-Webinar slides
-Webinar transcript
-Webinar questions and answers ... See MoreSee Less

The CMS iQIES Survey & Certification Job Aid - The job aid captures Tips and Tricks for iQIES that reflect approved ways to complete work more efficiently and consistently.
- General Tips
- Surveys
- Waivers
- IIDR
- Past Noncompliance (PNC)
- Intakes
- Common Questions
cstu.io/c446dd
cstu.io/929e03 ... See MoreSee Less