Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has many sources of information about the SNF QRP for SNFs and other stakeholders including:

Training Materials and In-person Training
Training Question and Answers (Q&As)
SNF Open Door Forum (ODF) Presentations
Special Open Door Forum (SODF) Presentations
CMS Quality Partner/Vendor Workgroup Presentations

This page is organized to be a library of training materials available to SNFs. Trainings added to this page in the most recent six months will display as *NEW*.

If you have technical questions or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF Quality Reporting Program Help Desk.

Introduction to the SNF QRP Web-Based Training

This web-based training course was developed for those who are new to the SNF QRP. The Introduction to the SNF QRP course is designed to provide a general overview of the program as well as a variety of links and resources for additional information. Specific topics include:

Lesson 1: What is the SNF QRP?
Lesson 2: The Minimum Data Set (MDS).
Lesson 3: MDS Data Submission.
Lesson 4: SNF QRP Resources.

Section C and D Training Materials

Cognitive & Mood Assessment

This four-course series provides an overview of the general and key clinical considerations important for conducting standardized cognitive and mood assessments and include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. While it is intended that the courses be completed in sequential order, you may jump directly to any topic of interest. The courses contained within this training are:

BIMS Video Tutorial

This updated video tutorial is intended to assist providers with guidance application and interview strategies for the cognitive assessment known as the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) found in the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 v1.18.11, effective October 1, 2023. This video tutorial is approximately 20 minutes in length and is designed to provide targeted guidance for accurate coding using live-action resident scenarios. To access the video, click on the following link:

BIMS Video Tutorial.

BIMS and BIMS Summary Score Explainer Video

This 3-minute, animated explainer video was developed to assist SNFs in accurately determining when the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) should be stopped, and how to code the remaining items in this situation. The video is now available through the following link:

BIMS and BIMS Summary Score: Stopping and Coding an Incomplete Interview Explainer Video

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM^©) Video Tutorial

This 14-minute video tutorial was developed to assist providers with guidance application and assessment strategies for C1310. Signs and Symptoms of Delirium taken from the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM^©) found in the MDS 3.0 v1.18.11. The video tutorial is designed to provide targeted guidance for accurate coding using a live-action resident scenario. To access the video, click on the following link:

CAM Video Tutorial

Section D Training Materials

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Patient Mood Interview (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-2 to 9^©) Video Tutorial

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a video tutorial for completing D0150, Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9©) and D0160, Total Severity Score. This video depicts two scenarios that demonstrate the coding of the PHQ-2 to 9 for the purposes of completing D0150, Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9©) and D0160, Total Severity Score. Two patient vignettes are depicted, one in which the PHQ-2 is demonstrated and one in which the entire PHQ-2 to 9 is completed. This video can be viewed through the following link: https://youtu.be/_JU7ABmbBGA.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

Section GG Training Materials

Section GG -Web-Based Training Series

This web-based training series is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser and includes interactive exercises to test your knowledge related to the assessment and coding of Section GG items. This training series consists of five courses:

Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items

These videos, ranging from 4 to 12 minutes, are designed to provide targeted guidance using simulated patient scenarios. To access the videos, click on the links below.

Section J Training Materials

Health Conditions: Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls

This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section J: Health Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.

Section J: Health Conditions – Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls

Section K Training Materials

Swallowing/Nutritional Status: Height, Weight, and Nutritional Approaches

This 30-minute course provides an overview of the assessment and coding of K0200: Height and Weight and K0500: Nutritional Approaches and includes interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the video, click the links below

K0200. Height and Weight and K0500. Nutritional Approaches

Section M Training Materials

Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries

This 90-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section M: Skin Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.

Section M: Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries

Section N Training Materials

Medications – Drug Regimen Review

This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the Drug Regimen Review standardized patient assessment data elements to Section N and is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser. To access the videos, click the links below.

Medications: Drug Regimen Review

Section O Training Materials

Section O: O0100. Special Procedures, Treatments, and Programs

This 30-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of Section O: O0100. Special Procedures, Treatments, and Programs and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge related to the assessment and coding of O0100.

Section O: O0100. Special Treatments, Procedures, and Programs

Cue Cards

Cue Cards for Administering the BIMS in Writing, PHQ-2 to 9, Pain Assessment Interview, and Interview for Daily and Activity Preferences

This set of cue cards was developed to assist SNFs in conducting the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) in Writing, the Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9), the Pain Assessment Interview, and the Interview for Daily and Activity Preferences, as referenced in the MDS 3.0 RAI v1.18.11 coding guidance. This resource is intended to be utilized as a supplemental resident communication tool that provides a visual reference of response options. More detailed instructions regarding the use of cue cards and the administration of the BIMS in writing can be found in the MDS 3.0 RAI v1.18.11 Manual. The cue cards are available here:

Job Aids

Companion job aids assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items and provide clinically relevant information to assist providers in understanding specific guidelines and clinical considerations that should be applied to coding these items. The job aids are provided in multiple file types designed for printing, viewing, or sharing electronically. An explanation of the file types is provided in the ZIP file.

Job Aids – GG0130A. Eating, GG0130B. Oral Hygiene, GG0130C. Toileting Hygiene, GG0130E. Shower/Bathe Self, GG0130F. Upper Body Dressing, GG0130G. Lower Body Dressing, and GG0130H. Putting On/Taking Off Footwear

2021_November.10_SNF_GG0130 Job Aides (ZIP)

Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies

Pocket Guides are intended to assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items and provide a quick reference for important terms and definitions that promote coding accuracy. These pocket guides are approximately 2 x 3.5 inches in size and are designed to be worn behind a provider identification badge.

Updates

September 4, 2024

UPDATED RESOURCE AVAILABLE: From Data Elements to Quality Measures Cross-Setting Web-Based Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides a high-level overview of how data elements within CMS patient/resident assessment instruments are used to construct quality measures (QMs) across post-acute care (PAC) settings. The course also discusses the relationship between these data elements and Quality Reporting Program (QRP) QMs, QM calculation, and how to access reports and use QM data for quality improvement. To access the training, click on the following link: From Data Elements to Quality Measures: Cross-Setting Web-Based Training

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

July 19, 2024

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: What You Need to Know: PAC QRP Key Program Updates – FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of key updates to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This targeted training discusses new, removed, and revised quality measures, timelines for public reporting, and measure specifications. In addition, assessment guidelines and coding instructions are presented for a new data element: O0350. Resident’s COVID-19 vaccination is up to date. To access the training, click on the following link: FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

May 13, 2024

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Explainer Video

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering a 4-minute, animated explainer video, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Items: Using Sources Other Than the Resident to Code for SNF providers. This video is intended to assist providers in accurately determining when the use of other sources is allowed for SDOH items: A1005. Ethnicity, A1010. Race, A1110. Language, A1250. Transportation, B1300. Health Literacy, and D0700. Social Isolation. The video is now available through the following link: SNF SDOH Explainer Video.

If you have questions regarding access to the resources or feedback related to the training, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

May 13, 2024

POST-EVENT MATERIALS AVAILABLE: SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU Webinar Post-Event Q&A

A Post-Event Q&A document from the SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU Webinar that took place on March 26, 2024, is now available. This document contains responses to questions related to the webinar. See “2024_March_SNF APU Webinar_QA” in the Downloads section below.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. If you would like to receive email notifications related to future training resources or events, please register to be added to our Notification List. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

May 6, 2024

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Recording Available for the SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU Webinar

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a webinar on March 26, 2024, to educate providers of current changes and to help them achieve a full Annual Payment Update (APU) in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). This webinar covered updates to the SNF QRP, Minimum Data Set (MDS) and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) submission and reporting requirements, available Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) and NHSN reports, the reconsideration process for providers who are identified as being noncompliant, and helpful resources.

A recording of the webinar is available on the CMS YouTube channel. A Post-Event Q&A document containing responses to questions asked throughout the webinar will be made available at a later date.

If you would like to receive email notifications related to future training resources or events, please register to be added to our Notification List. If you have questions regarding access to the resources or feedback related to the training, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the SNF QRP Help Desk.

SNF Quality Reporting Program Archives