Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 08/25/2025 14:14:45
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets, version 1.20.1v3, along with the updated Item Matrix. Both are now available for download on the MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The revised item sets will go into effect on October 1, 2025.

These updates incorporate changes finalized in the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Final Rule. Key revisions include:

• Demographic and service-related items: adjustments to the documentation of sex and transportation needs.
• Therapy-related data elements: streamlined to reduce provider burden and improve clarity.
• Section R (Social Determinants of Health): removed in alignment with recent policy decisions.

CMS encourages providers to review the final item sets now to ensure readiness for implementation and to maintain accuracy in assessment and reporting practices.

You can access the updated MDS 3.0 RAI Manual and related materials directly from CMS here.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org