> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dataplex-consulting.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dataplex-consulting.com/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/minimum-data-set-frequency.md). # Minimum Data Set Frequency Part of the [CMS Data Feeds Dataset](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog.md) › Medicare Dataplex delivers this CMS feed as the analysis-ready table `DWV.MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY` on Snowflake and Databricks — coverage from 2020 to 2026 in a single aligned schema, refreshed automatically whenever CMS publishes a new file. Every row carries lineage back to the exact CMS source file that produced it. ## Key facts | | | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | | **Snowflake** | `DWV.MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY` | | **Databricks** | `cms_dwv.minimum_data_set_frequency` | | **Coverage** | Jan 2020 – Jun 2026 | | **Rows** | 3,482,244 (total across all reporting periods) | | **Cadence** | Quarterly | | **Update pattern** | Time-partitioned — each file adds one reporting period | | **CMS published** | 2026-07-06 | | **Loaded** | 2026-07-06 | | **Columns** | 6 data + 6 lineage | | **File versions** | 26 | | **License** | CMS public data — U.S. Government work | | **Platforms** | Snowflake Marketplace · Databricks Delta Sharing | Included in the CMS Data Feeds Dataset — [start a free trial on Snowflake Marketplace](https://app.snowflake.com/marketplace/listing/GZT1Z125KDH/dataplex-consulting-data-products-cms-data-feeds-dataset). {% hint style="success" %} **Current** — CMS last published this feed on 2026-07-06. Coverage runs through 2026-06-30. Next CMS release expected \~Oct 2026. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} **Time-partitioned feed** — each file version covers one reporting period, so history is additive. Query the full table for all periods; filter on the reporting period columns for a single period. Do **not** filter to the latest file only — that would return just the 2026 reporting period. {% endhint %} ## Sample queries {% tabs %} {% tab title="Snowflake" %} ```sql -- Each file version covers one reporting period — history is additive SELECT * FROM DWV.MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY LIMIT 100; ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Databricks" %} ```sql -- Each file version covers one reporting period — history is additive SELECT * FROM cms_dwv.minimum_data_set_frequency LIMIT 100; ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ## About this feed > The Minimum Data Set (MDS) Frequency data summarizes health status indicators for active residents currently in nursing homes. The MDS is part of the Federally-mandated process for clinical assessment of all residents in Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes. This process provides a comprehensive assessment of each resident's functional capabilities and helps nursing home staff identify health problems. Care Area Assessments (CAAs) are part of this process, and provide the foundation upon which a resident's individual care plan is formulated. MDS assessments are completed for all residents in certified nursing homes, regardless of source of payment for the individual resident. MDS assessments are required for residents on admission to the nursing facility, periodically, and on discharge. All assessments are completed within specific guidelines and time frames. In most cases, participants in the assessment process are licensed health care professionals employed by the nursing home. MDS information is transmitted electronically by nursing homes to the national MDS database at CMS. > > When reviewing the MDS 3.0 Frequency files, some common software programs e.g., ‘Microsoft Excel’ might inaccurately strip leading zeros from designated code values (i.e., "01" becomes "1") or misinterpret code ranges as dates (i.e., O0600 ranges such as 02-04 are misread as 04-Feb). As each piece of software is unique, if you encounter an issue when reading the CSV file of Frequency data, please open the file in a plain text editor such as ‘Notepad’ or ‘TextPad’ to review the underlying data, before reaching out to CMS for assistance. > > — *Source: CMS feed metadata* **Keywords:** Medicare, Medicaid **Theme:** Medicare ## Coverage timeline 2020–2026 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 (🟩 covered · ⬜ no data) 7 of 7 years covered — no gaps. ## Release history | Reporting period | CMS published | Loaded | Latest file | | ----------------------- | ------------- | ---------- | ----------- | | 2026-04-01 – 2026-06-30 | 2026-07-06 | 2026-07-06 | ✓ | | 2026-01-01 – 2026-03-31 | 2026-04-06 | 2026-04-06 | | | 2025-10-01 – 2025-12-31 | 2026-01-27 | 2026-01-27 | | | 2025-07-01 – 2025-09-30 | 2025-11-19 | 2025-11-19 | | | 2025-04-01 – 2025-06-30 | 2025-07-15 | 2025-07-15 | | | 2025-01-01 – 2025-03-31 | 2025-04-08 | 2025-04-08 | | | 2024-10-01 – 2024-12-31 | 2025-04-08 | 2025-04-08 | | | 2024-07-01 – 2024-09-30 | 2024-10-09 | 2024-10-09 | | | 2024-04-01 – 2024-06-30 | 2024-07-08 | 2024-07-08 | | | 2024-01-01 – 2024-03-31 | 2024-04-11 | 2024-04-13 | |
Show 16 earlier file versions | Reporting period | CMS published | Loaded | Latest file | | ----------------------- | ------------- | ---------- | ----------- | | 2023-10-01 – 2023-12-31 | 2024-03-12 | 2024-03-12 | | | 2023-07-01 – 2023-09-30 | 2023-10-17 | 2023-10-17 | | | 2023-04-01 – 2023-06-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2023-01-01 – 2023-03-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2022-10-01 – 2022-12-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2022-07-01 – 2022-09-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2022-04-01 – 2022-06-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2022-01-01 – 2022-03-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2021-10-01 – 2021-12-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2021-07-01 – 2021-09-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2021-04-01 – 2021-06-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2021-01-01 – 2021-03-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2020-10-01 – 2020-12-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2020-07-01 – 2020-09-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2020-04-01 – 2020-06-30 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | | | 2020-01-01 – 2020-03-31 | 2023-08-21 | 2023-08-29 | |
## Data dictionary
📋 6 data columns + 6 lineage columns Column-level definitions are maintained by CMS in the official [Minimum Data Set Frequency data dictionary](https://data.cms.gov/resources/minimum-data-set-frequency-data-dictionary). **Data columns** | Column | Type | | ------------------------------- | ------- | | `GEOGRAPHICAL_LOCATION` | TEXT | | `REPORT_DATE` | TEXT | | `MDS_ITEM_QUESTION_DESCRIPTION` | TEXT | | `MDS_ITEM_RESPONSE` | BOOLEAN | | `PERCENT` | TEXT | | `TOTAL_RESIDENTS` | TEXT | **Lineage columns** (present on every feed table) | Column | Type | Description | | -------------- | -------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | `ROW_ID` | TEXT | Unique row ID for this table (PK) | | `FILE_ID` | TEXT | Source file — joins to `FEEDS_FILES.ID` (FK) | | `FILE_FEED_ID` | TEXT | Parent feed — joins to `FEEDS.ID` (FK) | | `FILE_NAME` | TEXT | Source file name as published by CMS | | `ROWNUM` | NUMBER | Row number within the source file | | `CREATED_AT` | TIMESTAMP\_NTZ | Timestamp when the record was loaded |
## Row-level lineage Every row in this table traces to the exact CMS source file that produced it. The `FILE_ID` column joins to the `FEEDS_FILES` catalog table, and `FILE_FEED_ID` joins to the `FEEDS` master table: ```mermaid erDiagram FEEDS ||--o{ FEEDS_FILES : "ID = FEED_ID" FEEDS ||--o{ MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY : "ID = FILE_FEED_ID" FEEDS_FILES ||--o{ MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY : "ID = FILE_ID" FEEDS { text ID PK text TITLE text VIEW_NAME text ACCURAL_PERIODICITY } FEEDS_FILES { text ID PK text FEED_ID FK date TEMPORAL_START date TEMPORAL_END date CMS_FEED_MODIFIED number IS_LATEST } MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY { text ROW_ID PK text FILE_ID FK text FILE_FEED_ID FK text GEOGRAPHICAL_LOCATION text REPORT_DATE text MDS_ITEM_QUESTION_DESCRIPTION boolean MDS_ITEM_RESPONSE number remaining_2_data_columns } ``` Trace any row back to its source file and reporting period: ```sql SELECT d.GEOGRAPHICAL_LOCATION, d.REPORT_DATE, d.MDS_ITEM_QUESTION_DESCRIPTION, ff.TEMPORAL_START, ff.TEMPORAL_END, ff.CMS_FEED_MODIFIED FROM DWV.MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY d JOIN DWV.FEEDS_FILES ff ON d.FILE_ID = ff.ID; ``` ## Source & provenance Published by the **Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services** (bureau 009:38). * [Official CMS data dictionary](https://data.cms.gov/resources/minimum-data-set-frequency-data-dictionary) * [Minimum Data Set Frequency Methodology](https://data.cms.gov/resources/minimum-data-set-frequency-methodology) ## Frequently asked questions ### How often is Minimum Data Set Frequency updated? Quarterly. CMS last published this feed on 2026-07-06, and Dataplex loaded it to the warehouse the same day. New releases are added automatically when CMS publishes them. ### What years does Minimum Data Set Frequency cover? 2020 through 2026. ### How many records are in Minimum Data Set Frequency? 3,482,244 rows across all 26 reporting periods. Because this feed is time-partitioned, the full table total is the meaningful count — no deduplication needed. ### How do I get Minimum Data Set Frequency data? It's included in the CMS Data Feeds Dataset on the [Snowflake Marketplace](https://app.snowflake.com/marketplace/listing/GZT1Z125KDH/dataplex-consulting-data-products-cms-data-feeds-dataset) (free trial available) and via [Databricks Delta Sharing](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/3cIdR2e1J59Sh2w7pWbQY00). Once mounted, query `DWV.MINIMUM_DATA_SET_FREQUENCY` directly — no pipeline setup required. ## Related feeds {% content-ref url="/pages/J5DWq8e3q0QGSLNa5lws" %} [Income and Asset Ownership](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/income-and-asset-ownership.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/B46yMM7ZJKuwN6AOok6V" %} [COVID-19 Nursing Home Data](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/covid-19-nursing-home-data.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/FhR8aogG6dJfeEgYz4G7" %} [Innovation Center Innovation Advisors](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/innovation-center-innovation-advisors.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/zyckf6MgxloW0pIeGoQe" %} [CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts - Health Spending by State of Residence](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/cms-national-health-expenditure-accounts-health-spending-by-state-of-residence.md) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/Mh2nfmBSn5ZTNCnrajlP" %} [CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts - Health Spending by State of Provider](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog/cms-national-health-expenditure-accounts-health-spending-by-state-of-provider.md) {% endcontent-ref %} ## Get this feed 1. [Start a free trial on Snowflake Marketplace](https://app.snowflake.com/marketplace/listing/GZT1Z125KDH/dataplex-consulting-data-products-cms-data-feeds-dataset) or purchase via [Databricks](https://checkout.dataplex-consulting.com/b/3cIdR2e1J59Sh2w7pWbQY00) 2. Mount the share — the database and `DWV` schema appear in your account immediately 3. Run the [sample query](#sample-queries) above — no ETL, no pipeline maintenance Questions about this feed? Contact us at . *** Part of the [CMS Data Feeds Dataset](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset.md) — 280+ feeds · 245B+ records · updated daily. [Back to the full catalog →](/data-catalog/cms-data-feeds-dataset/cms-data-feeds-catalog.md#minimum-data-set-frequency) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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