Ask Proactive – Are there going to be any MDS Updates in October?

Are there going to be any MDS Updates in October?

A:

Updates are not expected. The CMS PHE Tip Sheet provides the following:

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an update on May 8, 2020 announcing the delayed release of updated versions of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) needed to support the Transfer of Health (TOH) Information Quality Measures and new or revised Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements (SPADEs) in order to provide maximum flexibilities for providers of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) to respond to the COVID-19 Pubic Health Emergency (PHE).

The release of updated versions of the MDS will be delayed until October 1 of the year that is at least 2 full fiscal years after the end of the COVID-19 PHE. For example, if the COVID-19 PHE ends on September, 20, 2020, SNFs will be required to begin collecting data using the updated versions of the item sets beginning with patients discharged on October 1, 2022.