The submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 16, 2021. The QRP includes data from the Minimum Data Sets (MDS) from January 1 through March 31, 2021 (Q1).
The IMPACT Act of 2014 mandated the establishment of the SNF QRP. If the required quality data is not reported by each designated submission deadline, the SNF will be subject to a two (2) percentage point reduction in their annual payment update (APU).
All MDSs from Q1 must be transmitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) through the Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system to the Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES). There is no additional reporting required for claims-based measures.
The best method to verify that your current MDS data submission has been accepted into QIES is by running final validation reports. CMS strongly encourages all facilities to submit data several days prior to the deadline to allow time to address any submission issues and to provide an opportunity to review submissions to ensure data are complete.
The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program Data Collection & Final Submission Deadlines for the FY 2022 SNF QRP can be accessed at: SNF QRP FY2022 Data Submission Deadlines (cms.gov).
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quick Reference Guide can be accessed at: PAC SNF Quick Reference Guide (cms.gov).
Compliance Perspective
Issue
All nursing facilities, in order to maintain compliance with the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program, must submit their MDS data prior to the established deadline dates. MDS data not reported in the established time frames can be seen as a facility not being in compliance with the SNF QRP and can result in a reduction of monetary annual payments.
Discussion Points
- Review your policy and procedure on the Quality Reporting Program (QRP). Update as necessary.
- Ensure that all staff involved in the MDS process and billing are aware of your QRP policy, and that they are knowledgeable in interpreting final validation reports. Document that these trainings occurred and file each signed document in individual employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit to ensure that all MDS data has been submitted per the established time frames and that the validation reports have been reviewed.
