Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting has always been critical for Federally Qualified Health Centers—but the changes coming in 2026 make early preparation more important than ever.
In a recent podcast episode, Jill Steeley sat down with UDS expert and FQHC Associates Principal Steve Weinman to walk through what health centers need to know about the 2025 submission—and what leaders should start preparing for now.
Steve has completed UDS reports every year since 1984 and specializes in helping health centers ensure accurate, compliant submissions.
👉 Listen to the full episode:
Why UDS Accuracy Matters
UDS reporting began in the mid-1980s and formally became the Uniform Data System in 1996. Today, it’s the primary mechanism HRSA uses to report to Congress how Section 330 funds are used.
Just as importantly, UDS data directly affects:
Patient targets
Funding levels
How effective your health center appears on paper
Errors can create financial risk and paint an incomplete picture of your impact.
What Changed for 2025
Compared to what’s ahead, 2025 includes relatively minor updates:
SOGI data on Table 3B is now optional and will be eliminated in 2026
Small housekeeping updates to ICD-10 and CPT-4 codes
COVID-related revenue lines removed from Table 9E
These changes are manageable—but they shouldn’t distract from preparing for 2026.
Major 2026 Changes to Start Preparing For
The 2026 UDS submission includes one of the largest restructurings in decades, including:
Elimination of managed care utilization reporting (Table 4)
Renaming and restructuring of service categories on Table 5
Significant changes to clinical measures on Table 6A
A full redesign of Table 8A, shifting cost reporting structure
Simplified revenue reporting on Table 9D
A major move from cash-based to accrual-based reporting
These updates will require closer coordination between clinical, finance, HR, and IT teams.
Common UDS Pitfalls
Steve highlighted several recurring issues:
Patient counts that don’t align with funding targets
Misclassified staff FTEs
FTEs that don’t align with reported costs
Missing encounters for enabling or support services
Revenue tables that don’t capture all charges
Over time, these errors can trigger funding issues, compliance flags, or unnecessary follow-up from HRSA.
Best Practices for Getting Ahead
Successful health centers treat UDS as a year-round process:
Run reports monthly—not just at year end
Assign a single coordinator with cross-department authority
Review data for reasonableness, not just technical accuracy
Start submission review early in January
Use UDS data as a strategic planning tool after submission
As Steve noted in the episode, strong data quality often correlates with stronger financial performance.
Free Resource: UDS Submission Guide
To help health centers stay ahead, we have created a free UDS Submission Guide that includes:
A table-by-table checklist
A recommended review timeline
Common error prevention strategies
Internal review templates
Sample HRSA response language
👉 Download the free guide at: jillsteeley.com/uds
Final Takeaway
UDS doesn’t have to be a last-minute fire drill. With early preparation, strong internal processes, and the right tools, health centers can submit accurate data that truly reflects their impact—and protects their funding.
👉 Listen to the full podcast episode for deeper insights and practical guidance from Jill and Steve.
