CMS Releases SNF QRP Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 8.0
Updated specifications take effect October 1, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Version 8.0 of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual, along with supporting technical files used to calculate SNF QRP quality measures.
The updated manual becomes effective October 1, 2026 and includes several changes affecting measure specifications, reporting guidance and future submission requirements.
As always, Simple continues to monitor regulatory updates like these to help skilled nursing facilities stay informed and prepared.
What CMS Released
Along with the SNF QRP Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 8.0, CMS published several supporting resources:
- Version 8.0 Change Table
- Risk Adjustment Appendix
- Imputation Appendix
- Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) ICD-10 Crosswalks
These materials provide the technical specifications used to calculate and report SNF QRP quality measures.
What Changed in Version 8.0
While many of the Version 8.0 updates are technical or editorial, there are several changes SNF teams should be aware of.
COVID-19 Measures Removed
CMS removed the two COVID-19 measures previously included in the SNF QRP:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are Up to Date
Related measure specifications, iQIES reporting guidance and reporting instructions were also removed.
CMS added information outlining the phase-out of discontinued measures. The resident COVID-19 vaccination measure will be removed from reports beginning in October 2026 and from public reporting in January 2027. The related MDS item becomes voluntary beginning October 1, 2026.
New Submission Deadline Policy Coming in 2027
Version 8.0 also reflects a new SNF QRP data submission deadline policy established in the FY 2027 SNF PPS Final Rule.
For assessments with target dates on or after January 1, 2027, required data must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on the 15th day of the second month following the end of the calendar quarter. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day.
This represents a shorter submission timeframe than the current policy and may require SNFs to review internal MDS completion, validation and submission workflows.
Falls with Major Injury Updates
CMS expanded the examples used to describe a major injury under the Falls with Major Injury measure, including fractures, dislocations, internal organ injuries, spinal cord injuries, certain head injuries and other serious injuries.
The manual also provides advance notice that beginning with the December 2027 Care Compare refresh, the measure will transition to a hybrid methodology using MDS, claims and encounter data.
Functional Measure Clarifications
For the Discharge Self-Care, Discharge Mobility and Discharge Function Score measures, CMS clarified that covariates are generally taken from the admission assessment unless otherwise specified.
Reporting guidance for the Discharge Function Score was also updated to specify that observed scores should be rounded to two decimal places for reporting purposes.
Additional Technical Clarifications
Other updates include:
- Clarification that a Medicare Part A admission record is identified by a scheduled PPS 5-Day assessment.
- Updated terminology replacing “Medicare Fee-For-Service” with “Original Medicare” in applicable claims-based measure descriptions.
- Clarified rounding instructions for the Pressure Ulcer measure.
- Removal of outdated language related to the transition between previous MDS versions.
These changes are primarily intended to clarify existing calculation and reporting guidance.
What This Means for SNF Providers
Version 8.0 is largely a technical and maintenance update, but a few changes deserve closer attention.
The removal of COVID-19 measures will change portions of SNF QRP reporting guidance, while the new 2027 submission deadline policy could have a more direct impact on operational workflows by reducing the amount of time teams have to finalize and submit required MDS data.
The future transition of Falls with Major Injury to a hybrid measure is also an important change to monitor as CMS moves toward incorporating multiple data sources into the measure.
What Providers Should Do Next
SNF teams should consider:
- Reviewing the Version 8.0 Change Table for updates relevant to their workflows.
- Preparing for the shorter SNF QRP submission deadlines beginning with 2027 assessments.
- Confirming how removal of the COVID-19 measures may affect internal reporting processes.
- Reviewing updated quality measure specifications and calculation guidance.
- Making quality, MDS, clinical and compliance teams aware of changes that may affect their work.
- Continuing to monitor CMS guidance related to the future Falls with Major Injury hybrid measure.
Where to Find the Updated Materials
The SNF QRP Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 8.0 and accompanying technical files are available in the Downloads section of the CMS SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information webpage.
Providers, quality teams and technology partners should review the materials as they prepare for the October 1, 2026 effective date and upcoming 2027 reporting changes.
Simple Is Preparing for the Changes
The Simple team is reviewing Version 8.0 and the accompanying technical files and preparing our quality measure calculations to align with the updated specifications.
We will also continue monitoring CMS guidance related to SNF QRP reporting, submission deadlines and future measure changes to help providers understand what is changing and how it may affect their reporting and performance workflows.
Questions about how these updates may affect your organization or reporting? Contact the Simple team for additional guidance and support.