Skip to main content

RUG Certification Training (and Transition to PDPM)

Last updated on

Managed Care Organizations (MCO), STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), and Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCP) providers and services:

PDPM LTC will replace the current Resource Utilization Group (RUG) methodology effective September 1, 2025, following CMS guidelines.

This notification is to inform Nursing Facility Providers and Managed Care Organizations (MCO) related to the assessors’ completion of the MDS, SK-SAI, and the MN/LOC assessments that OIG and HHSC Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) have been working to redesign and update the current training content and delivery mechanism to align with the updated payment methodology.

Assessors will no longer be able to access RUG Certification training via Texas State University beginning June 16, 2025. Following the transition, the materials will be available no later than September 1, 2025, at no cost to participants.

During the transition June 16 – August 31, 2025, accessors who need to renew certification or certify for the first time will be required to fill out a form on the TXST website to be added to the certification file. Certification will not lapse during the transition as long as the form is submitted by August 31, 2025. Texas State University Website: https://www.distancelearning.txst.edu/continuing-education/rug-training.html

Assessors with a certification expiration date September 1 – November 30, 2025, will have until November 30, 2025, to take the updated training.

Further details will be shared, and the location of the training materials will be communicated prior to 09/01/2025.

More information about the transition and a step-by-step guide to the 2025 TXST RUG Transition Extension is available on the NF Provider Portal and the Texas Minimum Data Set webpage.