Webinar
Overview
Each year CMS updates the RAI User’s Manual to add new instructions and items to the MDS that impact Quality Measures, SNF QRP Measures and/or payment. October 1, 2025 brings an entirely new Section to the MDS that will include “Health-related Social Needs” that will inform new SNF QRP measures. These measures will be collected in all the post-acute settings. In addition to these changes, October 1, 2025 will bring major changes to the therapy section of the MDS as well. The draft MDS item sets have already been released and updated 3 times. There will also be updated instructions for some of the resident interview items, resident identification elements along with many changed examples and coding tips. Changes have also been made to remove DEI language from the RAI User’s Manual. This program will present and explain each new MDS item and will identify changed instructions and examples.
Instructor
Carol Maher is a Board-Certified Gerontological Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience in long-term care. Her extensive career includes roles as an MDS Coordinator, Senior Vice President of Utilization Services, and Director of Reimbursement for large, multi-facility organizations.
Carol was selected as one of the Gold Standard Nurses for MDS 3.0, contributing to the development of the Care Area Assessments (CAAs) through the RAP workgroup and serving on numerous Technical Expert Panels focused on MDS, Quality Measures, and care planning. She is a nationally recognized speaker, presenting regularly at AANAC, AHCA, and LeadingAge conferences, as well as for many state-level organizations. Her writing has appeared frequently in publications covering the RAI process and Prospective Payment System (PPS).
Carol served for nine years on the AANAC Board of Directors and currently sits on the AANAC Expert Advisory Panel. She is also an AANAC Master Teacher. As Director of Education at Hansen Hunter & Co., Carol leads MDS and Medicare training sessions nationwide, presents monthly educational webinars, and conducts compliance audits. She is the author of The Long-Term Care MDS Coordinator’s Field Guide (HCPro, 2016).
Credit Hours
- 1.5 NAB hours for Nursing Home Administrators
