Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Technical Information

What's New

February 26, 2025

Section S for MDS Data Specifications V3.10.1 (FINAL) Now Available

The Section S portion of the forthcoming MDS Data Specifications V3.10.1 (FINAL) is now available for download under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage.  This MDS version will be implemented in production on October 1, 2025.  The ZIP file below contains a PDF of the complete Section S specifications and an Item Change Report PDF showing Section S changes only, as well as comma-separated value (CSV) files containing the Section S items and the allowed values for said items. 

We encourage the vendor community to review the Section S specifications and submit comments and questions to the iQIES help desk by March 31, 2025.  CMS plans to finalize all data specs in April. 

MDS Data Specifications V3.10.0 (DRAFT) Now Available

The MDS Data Specifications V3.10.0 (DRAFT) are now available for download under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage. This version will be implemented in production on October 1, 2025.  Please note the addition of Section R.  Also, the O0400 and A1250 items will be removed, while O0390 items will be added. Furthermore, the dash (-) will become an allowed value for the D0150 frequency items. As always, please check the item and edit change reports for additional details.  Note that Section S item additions are not present in this DRAFT version but will be present in the FINAL version.

We encourage the vendor community to begin reviewing these draft specifications in preparation for an upcoming vendor call.

October 1, 2024

MDS Data Specifications V3.10.0 (DRAFT) Now Available

The MDS Data Specifications V3.10.0 (DRAFT) are now available for download under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage. This version will be implemented in production on October 1, 2025.  Please note the addition of Section R.  Also, the O0400 and A1250 items will be removed, while O0390 items will be added. Furthermore, the dash (-) will become an allowed value for the D0150 frequency items. As always, please check the item and edit change reports for additional details.  Note that Section S item additions are not present in this DRAFT version but will be present in the FINAL version.

We encourage the vendor community to begin reviewing these draft specifications in preparation for an upcoming vendor call.

September 13, 2024

PDPM Grouper JAR Package V2.3000 Now Available

This release was updated to support FY2025 ICD-10 codes which are used with MDS assessments with a target date on or after October 1, 2024.

Additionally, JAR support for XML files and a new method for XML Strings was added. The following methods are affected:

1. Pdpm.xmlStringExec - Added to accept XML structured Strings for single MDS claims.

2. Pdpm.exec(File snfFile) - Modified to accept XML files containing single MDS claims.

3. Pdpm.exec (Path path, Consumer<SnfClaim> additionalPostProcessing) - Modified to accept paths to XML files containing single MDS claims.

August 12, 2024

Update to I0020B ICD-10 codes Database

The Microsoft Access database containing the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes allowed for item I0020B has been updated to reflect the codes that will be active as of October 1, 2024 (FY2025). The ZIP file containing the updated database is now available in the Downloads section.

July 23, 2024

PDPM Grouper to Support XML Input

Currently, the PDPM Grouper processes the MDS assessment in a fixed-length string format.  To allow for future flexibility, the fiscal year 2025 release of the PDPM Grouper, effective October 1, 2024, will also support MDS assessments in XML format. The XML format will be the one used for submission of assessments to iQIES and defined in the Downloads section below. Skilled nursing facilities and their software vendors may continue to use the fixed-length string format or they can convert to using the XML format at any time after October 1, 2024, if that better serves their business needs. 

Questions regarding this change may be submitted to GrouperBetaTesting@cms.hhs.gov.

July 10, 2024

Errata V3.02.2 for MDS Data Specifications V3.02.1 (FINAL) 

Errata V3.02.2 is now available for the MDS Data Specifications V3.02.1 (FINAL) under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage. Two issues have been identified, which will result in the addition of edits -4072, -4073 and -4074, as well as the deletion of edits -4051, -4052, and subedit a of -4071.  These revisions will go into production on October 1, 2024.

May 22, 2024

MDS Data Specifications V3.02.1 (FINAL) Now Available 

The MDS Data Specifications V3.02.1 (FINAL) are now available for download under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage. This version will go into production on October 1, 2024.  The Section S item additions are present in this FINAL version. Please note the revision to edit -4043b, which will be retroactive to October 1.2023 when implemented on October 1, 2024. Also, please note that the Access database with the valid ICD codes for item I0020B in FY2025 will be posted during the summer.