CMS Releases Finalized MDS Item Sets and Matrix for Nursing Homes Effective October 1, 2025 8/27/2025 PolicyCMS Page ContentThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have posted the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version 1.20.1v3 and Item Matrix v1.20.1v3 in the Downloads section of their Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS Item Sets will be effective beginning October 1, 2025. The MDS item sets include the following notable changes: A0800, Gender, is changed to A0810, Sex. The transportation item A1250 has been updated and simplified under A1255. The removal of most therapy items under O0400, which are replaced with a simplified item O0390, Therapy Services. Section R (which included several items for social determinants of health) was removed as outlined in the FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule. Questions may be directed to regulatory@ahca.org. Related News Assisted Living Policy NCAL Endorses the Expanding Service Coordinators Act NCAL has endorsed the re-introduction of the Expanding Service Coordinators Act, which would make critical investments and reforms to expand the service coordinator programs to serve more people in federally assisted housing. READ MORE Policy Now Available: The Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual The final Minimum Data Set 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual version (v)1.20.1 is now available. READ MORE Policy Management Important Compliance and Regulatory Reminders OIG released an audit report which reviewed compliance with background checks and abuse-registry requirements in skilled nursing facilities. The audit identified instances where staff began working before these required screenings were completed. READ MORE View All News Related Articles Policy 9/8/2025 Member Advocacy Yields Medicaid Wins for Long Term Care The tax and spending cuts bill made substantial changes to Medicaid, but the American Health Care Association and its member advocates were able to shield nursing homes and intermediate care facilities from any reductions to provider taxes. READ MORE CMS Quality Improvement 9/8/2025 Laguna Honda’s Five-Star Recovery Over a three-year period, a San Francisco skilled nursing center underwent a massive organizational transformation, from losing its CMS certification to earning a five-star quality rating. READ MORE Caregiving Policy 5/31/2025 EBP and MDROs Infection prevention and control involves numerous interconnected elements, all of which must work together to keep residents, staff, and others safe and ensure regulatory compliance. READ MORE