Skip to main content

Data Fix for Incorrect PDPM LTC Levels Related to MDS Field K0520A2

Last updated on

Beginning the week of November 24, 2025, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in coordination with the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP), will implement a data fix for certain Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments that contain incorrect Patient Driven Payment Model for Long-Term Care (PDPM LTC) levels.

As announced in a previous article, “PDPM LTC Algorithm Update for K0520A2,” HHSC and TMHP are updating the PDPM LTC algorithm to correctly apply field K0520A2: Nutritional Approaches – Parenteral/IV Feeding – While Not a Resident. This update is scheduled to be deployed on December 18, 2025.

The algorithm update will systematically be applied to MDS assessments that are submitted after December 18, 2025, for effective dates September 1, 2025, and later. MDS assessments that were submitted before December 18, 2025, and still require a corrected PDPM value will be updated shortly after along with downstream systems to ensure accurate nursing facility (NF) daily care payment.

Key Details

The most important information for NFs is as follows:

  • Impacted MDS assessments with effective dates from September 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025, will be corrected first.
  • The following will be updated:
    • MDS assessments in Processed/Complete or PCS Processed/Complete status
    • Downstream systems such as the Service Authorization System (SAS) and LTC Claims Management System
  • MDS assessments that meet the criteria for use of field K0520A2 but already have an Extensive Services (E) or Special Care High (H) PDPM LTC level will not be recalculated.
  • Paid claims for NF daily care or NF room and board (for hospice recipients) that are associated with impacted MDS assessments will be adjusted.
  • Additional data fixes will occur after the updated algorithm is deployed in December.
  • NFs do not need to take any action for the PDPM LTC level corrections.
  • NFs should allow three to five business days (excluding the Thanksgiving holiday) for corrections to appear on Medicaid Eligibility Service Authorization Verifications (MESAVs).

For more information, call the TMHP LTC Help Desk at 800-626-4117.