MDS 3.0 RAI Manual

Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User's Manual — the CMS guidance for completing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0.

Version 1.20.1, October 2025. Published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Each page below reproduces the corresponding chapter or section of the manual; the original PDF is linked alongside it.

Chapters

Ch 1 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Overview, content and completion of the RAI, problem identification, components of the MDS, privacy of MDS data Ch 2 Assessments for the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Assessment types and definitions, required OBRA assessments, the CAA process, SNF PPS assessment schedule, determining the item set Ch 3 Overview to the Item-by-Item Guide to the MDS 3.0 Using this chapter, the MDS-recommended approach, coding conventions

Chapter 3 — Item-by-Item Guide

Coding instructions for each section of the MDS 3.0 item set.

A Identification Information B Hearing, Speech, and Vision C Cognitive Patterns D Mood E Behavior F Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities GG Functional Abilities and Goals H Bladder and Bowel I Active Diagnoses J Health Conditions K Swallowing/Nutritional Status L Oral/Dental Status M Skin Conditions N Medications O Special Treatments, Procedures, and Programs P Restraints and Alarms Q Participation in Assessment and Goal Setting