MDS Broadcast

Updated Provider Demographic Update Instructions (From QTSO)

September 29, 2026

CMS will be transitioning to a new data source for a provider’s demographic data for all Post-Acute Care (PAC) provider types (Skilled Nursing Facilities / Nursing Facilities (SNF/NFs), Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs), Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) and Hospices). These demographic data include provider name, provider mailing address, provider physical address, State, ZIP Code, etc. These provider demographic data are displayed on the Provider and Quality Measure reports generated from the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Additionally, these same demographic data are displayed on the Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog (PDC) websites.

While CMS will be transitioning to use the demographic information from Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), the final date when all demographic data will be obtained from PECOS has not been identified. During this transition, PAC providers will be responsible for ensuring their latest demographic data are updated and available in both the PECOS and iQIES systems.

The referencing document that outlines the steps each PAC provider should follow has been updated. Should you have questions regarding the processes, please contact the iQIES help desk by email at iQIES@cms.hhs.gov or by phone at (800) 339-9313.

Skilled Nursing Facility Data Validation Process: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Updated August 2026 

FY 2027 SNF PPS Final Rule: Highlights for NACs Fact Sheet

FY 2027 SNF Final Rule: What Leaders Need to Know—and Do Now

Insights from Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, AAPACN Master Teacher – Dir. of Reimbursement and Education, Pathway Health

October 1 always brings change to skilled nursing, and FY 2027 is no exception.

CMS has now finalized the FY 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System rule, and while there isn’t one sweeping change that completely reshapes PDPM, there are several important updates leaders should understand.



For me, the bigger message is this: CMS continues to connect reimbursement, MDS accuracy, quality outcomes, and data more closely together. That means these updates cannot live only with your MDS coordinator or reimbursement team. Operational and clinical leaders should understand:

1. Medicare Part A Rates Are Increasing 2.4%

CMS finalized a 2.4% increase in SNF PPS payment rates for FY 2027, representing approximately $882.74 million in increased aggregate Medicare payments to SNFs. That is good news—but remember, the national increase does not mean every facility will experience a 2.4% increase. Your actual reimbursement continues to be influenced by your wage index, PDPM case mix, resident characteristics, and facility-specific VBP adjustment.

2. PDPM Remains Stable—but Coding Accuracy Is Under the Microscope

CMS did not finalize a major redesign of PDPM for FY 2027.

However, CMS continues to evaluate what it calls case-mix creep, including concerns about coding and case-mix changes that may increase reimbursement without corresponding changes in resident acuity. For now, this remains an area CMS is studying—not a finalized payment reduction. But leaders should pay attention. This is another reminder that MDS coding must be supported by the resident’s clinical record and interdisciplinary documentation. The goal should never be to find the “highest-paying answer.” The goal is to represent the resident accurately.

3. Quality Reporting Continues to Expand

The SNF Quality Reporting Program remains a pay-for-reporting program, and failure to meet reporting requirements can result in a two-percentage-point reduction to the Annual Payment Update. CMS finalized the removal of two COVID-19 measures beginning with the FY 2028 SNF QRP:

• COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel

• COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are Up to Date

CMS also finalized a much shorter timeframe for QRP data submission—moving from approximately 4.5 months to approximately 45 days. This is more than an MDS department issue. A shorter correction window means facilities will have less time to identify missing or inaccurate information after the fact.

4. All-Payer Skilled MDS Reporting Is Coming

One of the biggest long-term changes in the final rule is CMS’s decision to require MDS data submission for all residents receiving covered skilled care, regardless of payer. This requirement is scheduled to begin with residents admitted on or after October 1, 2029, for the FY 2031 SNF QRP. Think Medicare Advantage, managed care, and other skilled residents—not simply traditional Medicare Part A. For many facilities, this could represent a significant operational change. Additional assessments mean additional scheduling, interviews, Section GG documentation, interdisciplinary coordination, review, and submission responsibilities. October 2029 may sound far away. Operationally, it isn’t.

5. SNF VBP Is Becoming Increasingly Important

Unlike QRP, SNF Value-Based Purchasing is pay-for-performance. CMS withholds 2% of Medicare fee-for-service Part A payments to fund the program, with incentive payments based upon performance. As the number of VBP measures has expanded, this program deserves much more attention from operational leaders.

And here’s the challenge: by the time you see the reimbursement impact, the performance period that created the result has already passed.

If you were unable to attend one of the three sessions covering the changes and updates to the MDS RAI Guidance Manual v1.20.11 going into effect on October 1, 2026, the information is on TRAIN. Log in to your TRAIN account and select the self-study training (ID 1140279): MDS Changes for October 2026.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Older Adults with Depression and Anxiety 

(Sponsored by ComForCare Home Care)

October 8, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET

1 CE credit for Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers (MN) & NAB for live session attendees

Depression and anxiety are frequently underrecognized in older adults, yet they significantly impact functional status, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. Timed with Mental Illness Awareness Week and Pharmacy Month, this webinar highlights evidence-based screening, referral, and intervention strategies to support emotional well-being in aging populations. 

Select the link above to register.

Building High-Performing, Resilient Care Teams (Sponsored by ComForCare Home Care)

December 3, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET

1 CE credit for Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers (MN) & NAB for live session attendees

High-performing care teams are the foundation of quality, consistency, and sustainability in aging services. This webinar focuses on practical leadership strategies to build resilient teams through effective coaching, delegation, and performance measurement. 

Select the link above to register.

Article: Fall Prevention Is More Than a Risk Assessment 

Age-Friendly Care in Nursing Homes

This self-paced course equips medical directors and other clinicians to lead the adoption of Age-Friendly care in their nursing homes. Learners will explore the 4Ms—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—along with practical strategies for implementation, sustaining change, and improving care in nursing homes. 

Select the link above to register.

Putting Calm Before Chaos: 3 De-escalation Tactics Every LTC Leader Needs 

Nursing home surveyors have cited resident-on-resident violence more than 700 times since the beginning of 2024, capturing what is likely just a small share of the agitation and aggression frontline staff encounter on a routine basis. An analysis this summer found resident-to-resident abuse was the most cited form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation cited in the first three months of 2026. Experts representing both clinicians and consumer groups said those incidents are widely underreported, as is violence against staff members.

Select the link above to read more. 

CMS Posts Updated MDS 3.0 RAI User's Manual 

CMS has posted an updated Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual, version 1.20.11, dated October 2026. The RAI Manual provides the official guidance nursing facilities use to complete and code MDS assessments, which play an important role in resident assessment and care planning, quality reporting, and Medicare skilled nursing facility payment.

Select the link above to discover additional information. 

Hot Topic: Food Safety 

Recent outbreaks serve as a reminder of the importance of food safety investigations. Environmental health staff have a critical role in leading environmental assessments during foodborne disease outbreak investigations. Watch the short training video to learn how investigators find factors that contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks. 

Earn FREE CE with the Environmental Assessment Training Series (EATS) 101: Foundation Skills training and learn how to complete an environmental assessment from start to finish using outbreak scenarios. Visit Restaurant Food Safety Training and Resources. 

Nurse's Role in Pain Management 

Nurses have a vital role in coordinating patient care across the care team. Learn about screening tools for informed pain management decisions and strategies for talking with patients about pain management and opioid therapy. 

Select the link above to go to TRAIN and register.

ICD-10 & Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determinations: January 2027 Update 

Learn about updates (PDF), effective January 1, 2027.

PEPPER's Back: What's Really Shaking Behind the CMS Approach to Nursing Home Metrics 

Skilled nursing PEPPER reports were just published again after a three-year dormant period, restoring a tool that allows providers to assess whether their billing levels for certain services might raise regulatory red flags. 

Select the link above to read more.

Skilled Nursing Facilities: Download Your FY 2025 PEPPER 

CMS released the FY 2025 Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) for skilled nursing facilities. Your PEPPER helps you review your billing data to make sure claims are accurate. 

How to Get Your PEPPER 

Authorized officials (AOs), access managers (AMs), and staff end users (SEUs) can download their organization’s report from the PEPPER Portal.

How to Become an SEU: 

• Sign in to the CMS Identity & Access (I&A) Management System using your existing NPPES or PECOS credentials.

• Request the PEPPER business function for your organization. The Comparative Billing Report business function is also available, and you can request it at the same time.

• Your AO or AM must approve your request.

More Information:

• Visit the Training & Resources webpage for more information about the release, the User Guide, and the upcoming webinar

• See the I&A Quick Reference Guide and FAQs for step-by-step instructions for AOs and AMs

• Contact the External User Services Help Desk

Outdated wound care practices haunting your organization? 

Join Relias and the Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) for an engaging webinar that uses a real-world case study to explore evidence-based wound assessment, treatment selection, and clinical decision-making. Whether your teams are caring for patients with chronic wounds, pressure injuries, or complex skin conditions, you'll gain practical strategies you can put into practice right away.