Industry Updates
August 1, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE: Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual version 1.19.1
The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.19.1 is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual | CMS page. The MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.19.1 will be effective beginning October 01, 2024.
This version of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual contains guidance to support the addition of new items N0415K: Anticonvulsant and O0350: Resident’s COVID-19 vaccination is up to date. Additionally, the Discharge Goals column in items GG0130: Self-Care and GG0170: Mobility have been removed; and the guidance and examples in Section GG have been revised to reflect the modification. Various minor alignments and corrections have been implemented throughout; specifics can be found in the included chapter/section change tables following the guidance.
To a review a copy of the Final MDS RAI manual - go to the link below:
Minimum Data Set 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual v1.19.1
October 4, 2024
Revised Updates to NH Care Compare Staffing and Quality Measures
Highlights of Memorandum:
- CMS will revise the case-mix adjustment methodology for staffing levels and update the Quality Measures (QMs) used on Nursing Home Care Compare to reflect changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Additionally, CMS will discontinue the CMS-672 form, as the section G MDS data, which populated this form, is being eliminated.
- To encourage accurate staffing data submission, CMS will modify the staffing rating methodology. Providers who do not submit staffing data or submit inaccurate data will receive the lowest possible score for staffing turnover measures.
- CMS has revised the timeline for updating the quality measures, ensuring that all affected measures are adjusted simultaneously.
To a review a copy of the updated memo QSO-25-01-NH go to the link below: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-25-01-nh.pdf
December 10, 2024
NOW AVAILABLE: Design for Care Compare Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System Technical User Guide
Effective with the January 2025 refresh, CMS will unfreeze four quality measures (QMs) that were frozen beginning with the April 2024 refresh. These measures were updated to accommodate recent changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS).
The impacts to these QMs are as follows:
• Percentage of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Residents Who Are At or Above an Expected Ability to Care for Themselves and Move Around at Discharge will replace Percentage of Residents Who Made Improvements in Function (short-stay).
• Percentage of Residents Whose Need for Help with Activities of Daily Living Has Increased (long-stay) will be respecified.
• Percentage of Residents Whose Ability to Walk Independently Worsened (long-stay) will be respecified. • Percentage of Residents with Pressure Ulcers will replace Percentage of High-Risk Residents with Pressure Ulcers (long-stay).
To a review a copy of the Five -Star Technical User Guide - go to the link below: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/downloads/usersguide.pdf