F641: The Importance of Accurate MDS Coding

F641, Accuracy of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), remains one of the most frequently cited F-Tags during surveys, for good reason. The MDS is a critical foundation of resident assessment, care planning, reimbursement, and quality measurement. When the assessment is inaccurate, everything that flows from it is at risk. The …

Medicare and Medicaid: Repeal of Minimum Staffing Standards for LTC Facilities Interim Final Rule

Interim final rule with comment period. SUMMARY: This interim final rule with comment period repeals provisions of the final rule titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting.” This action is taken in view of changes made by by public …

Falls With Major Injury (FMI) NHQI Technical Specification Report

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the official Technical Specification Report for the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) measure. This report incorporates feedback received during the cross-setting Technical Expert Panel (TEP) held on May 12 and 14, 2025. The report provides an overview of the measure, …

7 Tips for Avoiding F656 Care Plan Citations and Building a Culture of Proactive Care Planning

F656, Comprehensive Care Plans, is one of the most commonly cited F-tags during survey in nursing homes; however, with intentional processes in place, these citations are largely preventable. A proactive approach to care planning ensures that each resident’s plan is accurate, up to date, and reflective of their individual needs …

TIP: Updated QSO Memo on the Government Shutdown

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated memo regarding “Contingency Plans – State Survey & Certification Activities in the Event of Federal Government Shutdown,” QSO-26-01-ALL Revised, on Oct. 31, 2025. CMS had previously clarified that, “during a lapse in appropriation, it is not legal for CMS …

Survey 101: What Every Staff Member Should Know

Empower the whole team with this quick-reference guide designed to build confidence and readiness for the survey process. Survey 101: What Every Staff Member Should Know provides all team members—from nursing to housekeeping—with a clear, high-level overview of how surveys work, how residents are selected for review, and how to …

CMS QSO Memo: Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) Updates

Memo # QSO-25-26-NH Posting Date 2025-09-29 Fiscal Year 2025 Memorandum Summary CMS is committed to reinvesting civil money penalty (CMP) funds in projects thatsupport nursing home residents and protect or improve their quality of care and life.Therefore, we are updating the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP), including: • CMPRP Application – CMS …

OIG: Nursing Homes Failed To Report 43 Percent of Falls With Major Injury and Hospitalization Among Their Medicare-Enrolled Residents

Issued on 09/15/2025 | Posted on 09/18/2025 | Report number: OEI-05-24-00180 Report Materials Why OIG Did This Review What OIG Found Nursing homes failed to report 43 percent of falls with major injury and hospitalization among Medicare-enrolled residents, as required, in resident assessments. Nursing homes’ failure to report falls on MDS assessments leads to inaccurate fall …

CMS Fiscal Year Mission & Priorities Document (MPD) – Transition to Web-Based Updates

Memo # Admin Info-25-11-ALL Posting Date 2025-09-12 Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Memorandum Summary The Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) and Survey & Operations Group (SOG) remain dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all Americans. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 MPD reflects this dedication, along with our ongoing …

Are Your Facility’s Policies and Procedures Up To Date?

In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss the importance of policy and procedure review in nursing homes, as well as …