Post-Acute Care Quality Programs

Data Validation Process Announcement

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing notice  that the Skilled Nursing Facility- Value Based Purchasing Data Validation Process -  will begin MDS data validation January 1, 2026, with the notification process starting mid-January 2026. SNF providers will be randomly selected  for MDS data validation and selection notices will be uploaded to the MDS 3.0 Provider Preview Reports folders in the Internet Quality Improvement Evaluation System (iQIES) mid-January 2026.

The SNF data validation process verifies the accuracy of Minimum Data Set (MDS)-based quality measures used in the SNF Value Based Purchasing  and Quality Reporting Program (QRP). The SNF data validation process has been established in response to Section 1888(h)(12) of the Social Security Act that requires the Secretary to apply a data validation process to SNF VBP and QRP measures. In the SNF Prospective Payment System (PPS) fiscal year (FY) 2024 final rule (CMS1779-F) and FY 2025 final rule (CMS-1802-F), CMS specified that a data validation process for MDS-based measures would be implemented to ensure accurate quality data beginning with the FY 2027 program year/FY 2025 performance period.

Providers should access their iQIES folders mid-month to check if they have received a selection notification for  MDS data validation. You may access the following link to review  additional information on the process:  Data Validation Process, a prepared YouTube training video https://youtu.be/B20RF412eug , and, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), the Data Validation Process Webpage, and the Data Validation Help Desk contact information. See Validation Process.

If you have questions about accessing the training video or feedback regarding the training, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to SNF Validation Help Desk at snfvalidation@hcmsllc.com

Center for Clinical Standards and Quality