On August 13, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updates Survey Resources folder (.zip). Per the Revision History for the Long-Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP), the updated folder contains the Risk Based Survey (RBS) surveyor materials and an updated Chapter 7 of the State Operations Manual (revision date 6/26/2026). As we announced in a July CMSCG Blog post, Risk Based Surveys go live in only a few weeks – only September 8, 2026.
The Risk Based Survey has its own folder, which contains:
- RBS Entrance Conference Form (9/2026)
- RBS CMS-802
- RBS Initial Probe Care Areas and Probes
- RBS Pathways
- RBS Facility Tasks Job Aid
- RBS Mapping Document Streamlined
- RBS Procedure Guide
- RBS Screening Job Aid
Pay special attention to the RBS Entrance Conference Form – the timeframes and what is required are different than the LTCSP. If you’re eligible for an RBS, it’s worth making a second survey prep binder so you can easily address the more focused requirements since the timeframes for providing information are shorter than the full LTCSP. All required information must be provided by the end of the first day to keep surveyors aligned with their target.
Download the Survey Resources – Updated 08.13.2026 (ZIP) here. This folder contains the RBS materials as well as the current LTCSP Critical Element Pathways and other survey data, so you know you have the most current information.
Is your facility ready for whatever survey comes through the door?
Whether you qualify for the Risk-Based Survey or not, CMSCG’s survey preparedness services help nursing homes identify vulnerabilities before surveyors do — and build the systems that hold up under scrutiny.
