MDS 3.0 Technical Information

What's New -

April 5, 2013

The MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V7.0 contains detailed specification for the MDS 3.0 quality measures.

MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V7.0 is available under the Downloads section of this page.

The table entitled, Quality Measure Identification Number by CMS Reporting Module, has been updated to V1.2.

The table documents CMS quality measures calculated using MDS 3.0 data and reported in a CMS reporting module.  A unique CMS identification number is specified for each QM.

The table is available under the Downloads section of this page.

March 13, 2013

An errata document for Version 1.13.0 of the data submission specs was posted.  This document is dated 03/12/2013 and lists new and revised Section S items that were approved after V1.13.0 was posted.  These items will be included in the next update to the data submission specifications.

January 28, 2013

A new version (V1.13.0) of the data submission specs was posted.  Documents associated with this version are dated 01/17/2013.  This version is scheduled to become effective October 1, 2013.  Version 1.13.0 of these specifications should be considered provisional or draft and are subject to change until the final specifications are published.  Please refer to the Data Specifications Overview document for a summary of the changes that were made to this version.  Details about the changes are contained in the Edit Change Report and the Item Change Report.

A new version (V1.11.0) of the MDS item sets was also posted.  This version is also scheduled to become effective October 1, 2013 in conjunction with the new version of the data specs.  The item sets should also be considered provisional or draft and subject to change until final item sets are published.

November 02, 2012

A formatting problem was fixed in V1.12.0 of the data specifications for May 19, 2013.  This formatting problem affected the headers and footers of the PDF document which contains specifications for the control section of the MDS.  This document was replaced in the ZIP file that is posted below.  No other changes were made to the ZIP file.

October 24, 2012

Version 1.10.1 of the data submission specifications has been moved to the technical information archive page.

September 27, 2012

A new version (V1.12.0) of the data submission specs was posted.  Documents associated with this version are dated 09/18/2012.  This version is scheduled to become effective May 19, 2013.  This new version changes edits associated with modification records (where A0050=[2]) and make several other changes and corrections.  Please refer to the Data Specifications Overview document, the Edit Change Report, and the Item Change Report for details.

September 25, 2012

Note: MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications (V1.11.0) (Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0) will be implemented as planned on 10-01-2012.  Although the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual will be posted later this Fall, this does not affect the implementation of the data submission specifications. The new version of the data specs involves updates to several State-required items in Section S as well as some minor corrections.  The updated manual is not required to implement these changes. 

August 21, 2012

A new version V1.02.1 of the RUG-IV DLL and Specifications Package was posted.  This version corrects one coding error in the DLL and C++ code that resulted in incorrect Medicare RUG-IV classifications under a very rare set of conditions.

August 15, 2012

jRAVEN 1.1.5.1 software - Addresses the newly revised RUG's .dll and updates to manuals to reference the latest version of 1.1.5.1.  Consult the jRAVEN Installation Guide and jRAVEN User Guide for further information. (Updated August 1, 2012)

July 11, 2012

An updated errata document for V1.11.0 of the data submission specifications was posted.  This version is for implementation on October 1, 2012. 

 This version contains two new issues.  Please note that the resolution that was proposed in an earlier errata document to issue #02 was incorrect and has been withdrawn.  Issue #04 contains an updated resolution to this issue.

MDS 3.0 Technical Information:

The following files contain technical information related to the MDS 3.0 and are now available under the Downloads section of this page:

• MDS 3.0 QM User's Manual (V7.0) – Contains detailed specifications for MDS 3.0 quality measures (04-03-2013)
• MDS 3.0 Technical Specs Version History - Provides version history for the technical files listed below. (Updated 01-17-2013).
• MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications (V1.11.0) - Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0.  These specs will be implemented on 10-01-2012 (Updated 6-4-2012)
• Errata document for MDS 3.0 data submission specs (V1.11.0) -  These specs will be implemented on 10-01-2012 (Updated 07-10-2012)
• MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications (V1.12.0) - Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0.  These specs will be implemented on 05-19-2013 (Updated 9-18-2012)
• MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications (V1.13.0) – Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0.  These specs will be implemented on 10-01-2013.  (Updated 01-17-2013)
• Errata document for MDS 3.0 data submission specs (V1.13.0) -  These specs will be implemented on 10-01-2013 (Updated 03-12-2013)
• MDS 3.0 Item Sets (V1.10.4) – Printable MDS 3.0 item sets for implementation on 04-01-2012. (Updated 11-30-2012)
• MDS 3.0 Item Sets (V1.11.0) – Printable MDS 3.0 item sets for implementation on 10-01-2013.  (Updated 01-17-2013)
• RUG-III and RUG-IV Files (posted together):
  • RUG IV Files:
    • RUG-IV Specifications and DLL Package (V1.02.1) - Version 1.02.1 handles correction of a very rare Medicare classification error (standalone Start of Therapy OMRA, assessment reference date on or after 10/1/2011, Low level of rehabilitation therapy, and an ADL score of 2 – 5). (updated 08-21-2012 )
    • RUG-IV Unsmoothed and Smoothed Average Nursing Staff Time Means for the 66-Group, 57-Group and 48-Group Models Package (V.100). The unsmoothed and smoothed means are presented in PDF and CSV format. A PDF document describes the detailed methods used to smooth the nursing means.
  • RUG III Files:
    • RUG-III MDS 3.0 Mapping Specifications (V1.00.4) - This document presents logic that can be used to produce RUG-III classifications using assessment items contained on MDS 3.0 and accommodates item set changes for assessments on or after April 1, 2012 as well as earlier assessments. (updated 1-09-2012).
    • RUG-III MDS 3.0 Version Converter DLL (V1.00.3) - The RugVersionConverter.dll is designed to accept a fixed-format MDS 3.0 string, convert payment items to MDS 2.0 format, and return a fixed-format MDS 2.0 string. The MDS 2.0 string can then be submitted to the RUG-III grouper DLL (RUG520.DLL) to obtain a RUG-III group. This version of the Converter DLL processes MDS 3.0 strings made in accordance with v1.00.4 of the RUG-III MDS 3.0 Mapping Specifications. (updated 1-09-2012)
    • RUG-III Grouper Package (5.20) – Logic, test data, programs, and DLL to calculate RUG-III classification for MDS 2.0 records. This package can be used in conjunction with the RUG-III MDS 3.0 Mapping Specifications or Version Converter DLL to calculate RUG-III classification for MDS 3.0 records.
    • RUG-III Errata Document - Provides information about errors in the RAB and RAA group ADL ranges in three documents in the RUG-III V5.20 Package. Document is dated 09-03-2010. (Updated 09-23-2010)
    • RUG-III STRIVE Nursing CMIs (V1.00) - The nursing CMIs and nursing staff time means for the RUG-III groups (Version 5.20) based on the STRIVE staff time study are available for use in state Medicaid systems.
• MDS 3.0 CATs Specifications (V1.01.0) - Care Area Trigger (CAT) specifications for OBRA comprehensive assessments with an assessment reference date on or after 4/1/2012.

Questions regarding the information on this page should be directed to mdstechissues@cms.hhs.gov. Please note that CMS will not be providing an individualized response to each inquiry; however, CMS will make sure the issues or comments are addressed in the upcoming MDS 3.0 training sessions or updates to the information provided on this page.

The information listed below under the "Downloads" section is subject to change. CMS will communicate any changes to these materials on this page as well as through Open Door Forums hosted by CMS.