On April 3, 2023, CMS released important changes to the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Resident Assessment Instrument Training Manual (RAI).  These changes will take effect on October 1, 2023.

Our national partner, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, has assembled a multi-part training curriculum to help you prepare. Installment #1 is set forth below.

Changes to Section A

The MDS 3.0 version v1.8.11 final item sets and draft RAI guidance were released on April 3, 2023, and substantial changes were made to several sections.

Changes made to section A include:

• Incorporation of the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements (SPADES).

• Race, Ethnicity, and Preferred Language, which allows for standardized data collection across all health care settings.

• Two new QRP Measures which capture Transfer of Health (TOH) Information to the provider and to the patient, beginning on October 1, 2023, on all Part A PPS discharges.

AHCA has created an MDS Section A resource document to help providers breakdown the changes. The information in the resource document outlines key changes to MDS Section A, Coding Instructions/RAI Guidelines for each item, and Actions to Consider for implementation across your facility.

It is important to develop a training plan for your facility to ensure all staff impacted by the changes are trained in them. 

Additional Resources:

• AHCA Education: MDS Updates Effective 10/1/2023
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training
• SNF Understanding Changes to the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.18.11 Training Webinar
• SNF Social Determinants of Health and New Data Elements in Section A Training Webinar
• 2023 SNF Guidance Training Program

Please email regulatory@ahca.org with any questions.