AHRQ Launches New Survey to Assess End-of-Life Care Experiences

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) End-of-Life Care Survey. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) End-of-Life Care Survey assesses healthcare experiences in the last month of life, including care experiences across a range of …

FY 2026 SNF VBP Program Fact Sheet and Incentive Payment Multiplier Calculation Infographic

FY 2026 SNF VBP Program Fact Sheet (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing (also updated with FY 2026 information) SNF VBP Program: FY 2026 Incentive Payment Multiplier Calculation Infographic (PDF). From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/scoring-methodology-payment-adjustment

COE-NF for Behavioral Health Resources: Mental Health Awareness Training Plan, Schizophrenia, and Substance Use Recovery

The following resources are now available: Mental Health Awareness Training Plan Schizophrenia in Nursing Facilities: Validating Diagnosis and Planning for Appropriate Care Schizophrenia Fact Sheet 4 Ways Nursing Homes Can Promote Substance Use Recovery See All Resources

iQIES Nursing Homes – Surveys Workbook for Surveyors

This workbook simulates the survey functions in iQIES and may provide a bare-bones (i.e., basic) walkthrough of how surveyors will approach survey using iQIES. To access, go to https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals Then go to the section titled iQIES Training Environment Access Instructions for State Agencies and CMS Locations Then you can download the …

20 “Choosing Wisely” Recommendations From PALTmed

“1. Don’t insert percutaneous feeding tubes in individuals with advanced dementia. Instead, offer oral assisted feedings: Strong evidence exists that artificial nutrition does not prolong life or improve quality of life in patients with advanced dementia. Substantial functional decline and recurrent or progressive medical illnesses may indicate that a patient who …

NHSN LTCF MDRO & CDI Module Resources

Multidrug-Resistant Organism & Clostridioides difficile (MDRO/CDI) Infection Event Reporting Module Using Laboratory-identified Event Methodology Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only MDRO/CDI Events Denominator Forms Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey See more at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/ltc/cdiff-mrsa/index.html

NHSN Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Flu Vaccination Module for SNF QRP Reporting

The HCP Flu Vaccination Module, which is part of the HCP component in NHSN, is used to input required NHSN data for the SNF QRP. This site provides access to the HCP Vaccination Module: Influenza Vaccination Summary Protocol, which is the primary manual for the module. In addition, it provides …

MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 and Risk Adjustment Appendix

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version (V)17.0 is now available. The MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 contains detailed specifications for the MDS 3.0 QMs and includes a Notable Changes section that summarizes the major changes from MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V16.0. Changes …

NOMNC and DENC: New Forms Must Be Used Starting Jan. 1, 2025; Different Start Date for DENC Only for Medicare Advantage

FFS & MA NOMNC/DENC What’s New 11/18/2024: New NOMNC and DENC for Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved a revised Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC / CMS-10123) and Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage (DENC / CMS-10124). Please note the updated NOMNC and DENC …

CMS Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Website

Improving Care Through Increased Staffing Nursing home staffing has a significant impact on the quality of care that residents receive. Feedback from both nursing home staff and residents consistently highlights staffing as their primary concern. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is launching a national Nursing …