06/17/2026

CMS Releases Fact Sheet on OBRA Discharge Assessments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a one-page SNF QRP: OBRA Discharge Assessment Determination Fact Sheet to help skilled nursing providers determine when an OBRA Discharge assessment is required under Chapter 2 of the MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual.

The fact sheet addresses common questions related to emergency department visits, observation stays, leave of absence situations, hospital admissions, and discharges to other care settings or private residences. Providers should review the resource with MDS coordinators, nursing leadership, and discharge planning staff to support accurate assessment practices.