September 28, 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a technical specification report for its refined Skilled Nursing Facility Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Requiring Hospitalization measure. The principal update adds Medicare Advantage encounter records as a data source alongside Medicare Fee-for-Service claims.
The measure estimates the risk-standardized rate of infections acquired during SNF care that result in hospitalization. For clinicians and facilities, the new report provides a closer look at how CMS defines eligible SNF stays, identifies qualifying hospitalizations, applies exclusions, and adjusts results for differences in resident characteristics. It also presents measure results and testing findings.
The addition of Medicare Advantage data is a meaningful change to review as CMS refines how it calculates the measure. CMS has not yet announced when results using the refined specifications will be publicly reported; the agency says it will provide a timeline in a future update.
Members can find the SNF HAI Requiring Hospitalization Measure Technical Specification Report in the Downloads section of CMS’ SNF Quality Reporting Program Measures and Technical Information page.