Blog: CMS Releases New Updates + Urgent MDS Submission Reminder

April is shaping up to be an extremely busy month of new information and processes, and we’re in this together! Here’s a reminder about the MDS submission transition from the QIES system to iQIES system with a brief recap of recent CMS releases and links to source documents. 

iQIES Reminder

• QIES will be turned off on April 13^th at 8pm ET. You may submit completed MDS assessments until this time.  
• Beginning April 17^th at 8am ET, all MDS submissions and reporting (Casper, etc.) will be through the new iQIES system.   
  
  

CMS Releases April 2^nd, 2023

October 1^st, 2023 is set as effective date for: 

• MDS 3.0 Final Item Sets
• Draft RAI Manual

CMS Releases April 4^th, 2023

Proposed PPS Final Rule for FY 2024.  

• Notable changes impacting SNF’s include a 3.7% payment increase based on:  
  • + 6.1% market basket Index  
  • + 3.6% market basket forecast error adjustment  
  • – .2% productivity adjustment  
  • – 2.3% PDPM parity adjustment recalibration  
• CMS Fact Sheet
• Changes in SNF Wage index
• ICD-10 Coding Update
  

QRP Upcoming Proposed Changes:

• FY 2025 
  • Adoption of the Part A Discharge Function Score Measure (GG impact). Data collection begins 10/1/23. 
• FY 2026 
  • MDS data completion increase from 80% to 90% of the required MDS data questions to avoid the 2% payment reduction to the Annual Payment Update. Data collection begins 1/1/24. 
• New QM’s 
  • CoreQ Patient Satisfaction Scoring on all Short Stay DC’s – calculation of % of residents DC’d in a six-month period from a SNF, within 100 days of admission who are satisfied with their SNF stay. Requirement includes contracting with independent, CMS-approved CoreQ survey vendors to administer the questionnaire and report results to CMS on the SNF’s behalf  
  • COVID-19  Percent of Patients/Residents and Healthcare workers who are up to date on their vaccinations per CDC’s latest guidance  
• Transfer of Health Information to the Provider and Patient 
  

VBP Additions: 

• FY 2026 
  • Nursing Staff Turnover Measure. Data collection begins 1/1/24. 

• FY 2027 
  • % of Residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury (Long Stay) 
  • DC Function Score (same measure as for QRP)  
  • Number of Hospitalizations per 1,000 Long-Stay resident days (claims based) 
  • Data collection begins 10/1/24 for all 3 measures. 
    
    

So the Point Is: Many changes are headed our way! QRM is dedicated to providing source data, education, and support throughout the journey. Stay tuned for additional details and educational opportunities.