CMS Releases Finalized MDS Item Sets and Matrix for Nursing Homes Effective October 1, 2025

CMS; MDS
 
Published:August 19, 2025
Amy Miller
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have posted the final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version 1.20.1v3 and Item Matrix v1.20.1v3 in the Downloads section of their Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS Item Sets will be effective beginning October 1, 2025. 

The MDS item sets include the following notable changes: 
  • A0800, Gender, is changed to A0810, Sex. 
  • The transportation item A1250 has been updated and simplified under A1255. 
  • The removal of most therapy items under O0400, which are replaced with a simplified item O0390, Therapy Services. 
  • Section R (which included several items for social determinants of health) was removed as outlined in the FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule. 
Questions may be directed to regulatory@ahca.org.