Minimum Data Set (MDS)

The MDS is a clinical assessment for all residents of nursing homes certified to participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs. Certified nursing homes are required to submit the MDS assessment electronically to the federal MDS repository as part of their conditions of participation in the Medicare/Medicaid program. Below is information for Massachusetts nursing homes regarding the MDS.

Massachusetts MDS Section S

Massachusetts implemented state specific MDS Section S items effective April 1, 2012. Please see the documents below for more information.

• Massachusetts MDS Section S Printable Form - 10/1/2013 (RTF)
• Massachusetts MDS Section S User's Manual - 10/1/2023 (DOCX)

Additional Resources

CMS - Minimum Data Set 3.0 Web Site

CMS Long Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual - October 2017

CMS - Skilled Nursing Facilities PPS

Contact us

For more information on MDS issues, please contact one of the following staff at the Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification:

MDS Clinical Coordinator

Maureen Waitt
MDS/RAI Clinical Coordinator
[e-mail]

Contact the RAI/MDS Clinical Coordinator with coding questions on the MDS

MDS Automation Coordinator

Andrew Lambert
MDS/OASIS Automation
[phone]
[e-mail]

Contact the MDS Automation Coordinator for questions on the transmission of the MDS to the federal database.