This preview window is a critical opportunity to review and validate your quality data before it becomes public on Medicare.gov & the PDC
The updated Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports were recently released, and this preview window is a critical opportunity to review and validate your quality data before it becomes public on Medicare.gov and the Provider Data Catalog (PDC) during the April 2026 refresh.
The Provider Preview Reports reflect multiple data sources and timeframes, depending on the quality measure:
· Most MDS-based quality measures: Quarter 3, 2024 through Quarter 2, 2025
· COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are Up to Date: Quarter 2, 2025 only
· CDC Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel (HCP): Quarter 4, 2024 through Quarter 1, 2025
· CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among HCP: Quarter 2, 2025
· Claims-Based Measures: Quarter 4, 2022 through Quarter 3, 2024
· SNF Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Measure: Quarter 4, 2023 through Quarter 3, 2024
Understanding which quarter drives which measure is key when validating your results.
Top 5 areas providers should review?
1. Do the Scores Match What You Expect?
Start by comparing the Provider Preview scores to your Facility-Level Quality Measure (QM) and Resident-Level QM reports. Large or unexpected changes often signal underlying data issues rather than true performance shifts.
2. Pay Extra Attention to Single-Quarter Measures
Measures based on one quarter — particularly vaccination measures — are highly sensitive to missed documentation or late submissions. Even a small gap can significantly impact your publicly reported score.
3. Review Claims-Based Measures with a Historical Lens
Claims-based measures reflect older data and are not directly tied to current MDS submissions. If a result looks off, consider whether:
· Resident case mix changed
· Hospital utilization patterns shifted
· Discharge coding was inconsistent
4. Don’t Overlook the HAI Measure
The SNF Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) measure pulls from specific reporting periods. Ensure your infection surveillance, NHSN reporting, and internal tracking were complete and aligned during those quarters.
5. Look for Red Flags
· Are there sharp declines compared to prior?
· Does performance differ significantly from internal monitoring?
· Are results inconsistent with known operational changes?
If concerns are identified, address them now—before public reporting occurs. Providers have until February 14, 2026, to review their Provider Preview Reports and take appropriate action.
Key distinction to remember:
· Corrections to underlying assessment data submitted before the final data submission deadline will be reflected on Medicare.gov and the PDC.
· Updates made after that deadline will appear only in the Facility-Level and Resident-Level QM reports.
· Late updates will not change what appears in the Provider Preview Reports or on Medicare.gov.
If you believe a quality measure score is inaccurate, you may request a CMS data review during the preview period.
Think of the Provider Preview Report as your final opportunity to confirm accuracy before public reporting. This is the time to validate your data, address correctable issues, and document any known limitations. A proactive review now can help avoid unnecessary questions, appeals, and confusion once scores are publicly posted.
Helpful Resources:
For access issues with your Provider Preview Report, contact the iQIES Service Center:
· Email: iqies@cms.hhs.gov
· Phone: 1-800-339-9313
For questions related to SNF QRP Public Reporting:
· Email: SNFQRPPRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov
If you have questions about your Provider Preview results — or want help connecting the dots between MDS coding and quality outcomes — send them my way. Navigating quality reporting is complex, but you don’t have to do it alone.
