IMPORTANT CMS UPDATE: 1/14/2026 – QRP & VBP Validation Audits Have Begun!

QRP & VBP Validation Audits Have Begun!

As promised, CMS has begun their QRP and VBP Data Validation Program!  

The first request letters were posted on January 12th!

This is a Medicare A program whose purpose is to validate the assessment based measures used for QRP and VBP.

CMS will compare MDS entries against a patient’s medical records to ensure that the MDS data used to calculate measures and payment is accurate. 

As a reminder:

  • Each year, CMS will randomly select 1500 facilities to review
  • Up to 10 charts will be requested 
  • Records should be submitted electronically through a secured provided link that facilities will receive with their notification
  • The SNF has 45 calendar days to submit the records or be subject to a 2% Med A penalty!

Facility selection notices will be posted in: iQIES > My Reports> MDS 3.0 Provider Preview Reports folder.  

When a facility receives a selection notice they must: 

  • Set up primary and secondary Point of Contacts (POC) at the facility who will receive and respond to validation related communication 
  • Complete the POC form within 5 business days 

We strongly recommend that providers check their iQIES folder as soon as possible, and then continuously thereafter, to see if they received a selection notification. There is no separate email that goes out, so you must check this folder often!!

CMS created a 14 minute YouTube video to explain the program.  

This can be accessed at: https://youtu.be/B20RF412eug  

CMS also created an FAQ document to answer questions: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/data-validation-process-frequently-asked-questions-12-17-2025.pdf

As always, if you have questions, or need additional information, please email us at: Medicarequestions@enhancetherapies.com

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