The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to add six new items to section N (Medications) that largely correspond with some of the new medication requirements in the revised Medicare/Medicaid RoPs.

Effective Oct. 1, 2017, CMS will start collecting data on opioids through an additional question on the MDS. In addition, CMS will also capture information addressing antipsychotic medications and gradual dose reductions. To preview the new MDS information, click HERE. These new changes closely correlate to the upcoming requirement changes to the Pharmacy requirements.