Question: I am confused by the new section GG guidance for when the activity “is being/will be” routinely performed. What does “will” mean?

Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: The term “will” in this coding tip is likely referring to the resident’s goals or preferences. The example in this instruction states “walking might be assessed for a resident who did/does/will use a wheelchair …

QAPI Focus: Section GG

AAPACN’s QAPI Focus: Section GG tool can be used at quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) meetings to focus specifically on concerns regarding section GG documentation and coding accuracy. This tool identifies specific section GG key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to demonstrate progress toward a data-driven proactive …

TIP: CMS Released Additional Updates to RAI User’s Manual v1.20.1

On Sept. 24, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated RAI User’s Manual version 1.20.1 and updated MDS item sets v1.20.1v4. The last-minute updates aligned the MDS item sets with the revisions to item J1900, which changed the definitions of injury (except major) and major …

PDPM Grouper JAR Package V2.4000

This release was updated to support FY2026 ICD-10 codes which are used with MDS assessments with a target date on or after October 1, 2025. As part of this release, 487 clinical category mappings were added, 28 clinical category mappings were removed, and 34 clinical category mappings were modified. Additionally, 3 …

AAPACN Resources to Help Prepare for Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Changes

AAPACN Resources to Help Prepare for Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Changes The Long Term-Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual version 1.20.1 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) goes into effect for nursing homes on Oct. 1, 2025. To ensure nurse assessment coordinators, directors of …

Oct. 2025 RAI User’s Manual – Unexpected Updates 

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss some of the unexpected changes released in the final draft of the RAI User’s Manual version …

Ready or Not: Preparing for the Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Change – Sept. 18 2025

Members: $24 | Non-members: $48Continuing Education: 1.25 CE hoursRecording Date: Sept 18, 2025 Duration: 75 minutesSpeaker: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA Big changes are coming to the MDS this October—and SNF teams need to be ready. Join AAPACN Senior Curriculum Development Specialist, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, for a breakdown of what’s …

Body of Knowledge for the Role of Director of Nursing Services in Long-Term Care

What does it take to be a successful DNS? AAPACN’s Body of Knowledge for the Role of Director of Nursing Services in Long-Term Care identifies, defines, and measures the core competencies required of DNSs practicing in SNFs. Review the tool and assess how you measure up today!

MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual v17.0 Effective Jan. 1, 2025 and Associated User Manual Files

NOTABLE CHANGES TO THE MDS QM USER’S MANUAL V17 Guidance on Selecting MDS Section GG Item Columns for Measure Calculation An updated .zip file for the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual v17.0 is now available. This .zip file package contains the updated 2025 Nursing Home …

SNF QRP Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual V7.0, Change Table, Risk Adjustment and Imputation Appendix Files, and HCC ICD-10 Crosswalks

The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual v7.0 and accompanying files are now available. These materials serve as an update to the specifications used to calculate quality measures that are included in the SNF QRP and will be effective beginning October 1, 2025.  The …