The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the January 2026 revision to the Five-Star Quality Measure Guide, and as anticipated, it includes an update about the Long-Stay antipsychotic medication Quality Measure. CMS had announced the January 28, 2026 date for the revisions to this QM in a June 2025 QSO Memo about updates to Nursing Home Compare.
CMS previously announced that the LS Antipsychotic QM would be updated to include Medicare and Medicaid claims data and Medicare Advantage encounter data in addition to the MDS data used for the measure. The additional data is meant to capture antipsychotic medication use that is not included in the MDS data. It also means that there will be an increase in the national percentage of residents receiving an antipsychotic.
Per the January 2026 guide:
January 2026 Revisions
Effective with the January 2026 refresh, CMS will replace the existing long-stay antipsychotic medication quality measure with a respecified measure that incorporates Medicare and Medicaid claims data and Medicare Advantage encounter data to supplement MDS data. The scoring cut points for this respecified measure will be set to place providers into 10 equal deciles based on the distribution of providers’ performance. Please refer to CMS Memorandum QSO-25-20-NH REVISED for more information. Changes are identified in red, italicized text.
View the January 2026 Five-Star Users’ Guide here for more information, including updated Quality Measures Point Value Ranges.
Nursing Home Administrators: Prepare Your Facility for the January 2026 Five-Star Quality Measure Changes
CMS is implementing significant updates to the Five-Star Quality Measure Guide, including a new approach to the Long-Stay antipsychotic medication Quality Measure. These changes will impact how your facility’s performance is evaluated and publicly reported.
At CMS Compliance Group, we understand the challenges administrators face in adapting to evolving regulatory requirements. Our team of compliance experts is ready to help you interpret the latest guidance, update your policies, and train your staff to ensure your facility remains compliant and competitive under the new scoring system.
Don’t wait until surveyors arrive or your star rating is affected. Reach out to CMS Compliance Group today to schedule a consultation. Let us help you navigate these changes with confidence and position your facility for continued success.
