Mock surveys & survey readiness
Mock surveys for skilled nursing and post-acute facilities
Unannounced surveys don’t have to feel like a crisis. Our mock surveys simulate a full CMS survey using real survey pathways, interview techniques, chart audits, and observations, then coach your team to fix what we find.
Onsite MockSurvey®
What you get
- Full CMS-style simulation: recertification, complaint, or revisit
- Real-time staff coaching and leadership walkthroughs
- Chart reviews, med pass, infection control, and facility tours
- Interview preparation for staff and residents
- Comprehensive written report within 7 business days
- Executive summary for leadership and your governing body
How we staff it
Two consultants, one clinical and one operations and regulatory, typically over three onsite days. Travel is billed at cost.
A note on certification
No mock survey “certification” is approved or endorsed by CMS. Be cautious of any vendor that sells one. What protects you is finding and correcting deficient practice before the state does.
Six steps
Our mock survey process
- 01
Entrance conference & document setup
We request the same entrance conference documents surveyors do and review them against current requirements.
- 02
Medical record review & chart audits
Sampled residents are reviewed for care planning, MDS accuracy, and documentation that supports the care delivered.
- 03
Staff & resident interviews
Interviews follow CMS pathways so staff practice answering the way surveyors ask.
- 04
Direct care observations & staffing
Med pass, infection prevention, dining, and care delivery are observed on every shift we can reach.
- 05
Physical plant walkthrough
Environment, life safety, and ligature risk checks across the building.
- 06
Exit conference & written report
Verbal findings at exit, then a written report with an executive summary and prioritized corrections.
Remote option
SurveyPrep™ or onsite MockSurvey®?
SurveyPrep is our remote readiness service, built for leadership turnover, budget-conscious preparation, or a check before a full onsite simulation.
100% remote
SurveyPrep™
Starting at $2,500
One to two weeks
- Virtual readiness assessment
- Gap analysis
- Staff training, 2 to 4 hour online workshops
- Remote policy review
- QAPI assessment
- Prioritized action plan
Best for verification and remote preparation.
Onsite
MockSurvey®
From $1,500 per consultant, per day
Typically 2 to 5 days onsite
- Full CMS mock survey
- Consultants onsite as surveyors
- Complete building walkthrough
- Staff and resident interviews
- Exit conference
- Written report in 7 business days
Best for a full simulation. Also bookable at MockSurvey.com.
Client feedback
What facilities say
Your mock survey saved us from a multi-tag disaster. It was more thorough than our last state survey.
The report was actionable, honest, and exactly what we needed to get back on track.
SMK’s mock survey prepared our team so well, we passed our real survey with zero citations.
The coaching during the mock survey was invaluable. Our staff confidence went through the roof.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a nursing home mock survey?
A mock survey is a practice CMS survey. Experienced consultants follow the same survey pathways, record reviews, observations, and interviews a state survey team uses, then report the deficient practice they find so the facility can correct it before the real survey.
How much does a mock survey cost?
SMK Medical onsite mock surveys start at $1,500 per consultant per day plus travel, with a three-day minimum. A typical engagement uses two consultants, one clinical and one operations and regulatory. Remote SurveyPrep™ starts at $2,500.
How long does a mock survey take?
Most onsite mock surveys take two to five days depending on facility size and scope. The written report follows within seven business days.
Is a mock survey certification approved by CMS?
No. CMS does not approve or endorse any mock survey certification. What reduces citations is identifying and correcting deficient practice before the state survey team arrives.
How often should a nursing home do a mock survey?
Most facilities benefit from at least one full mock survey a year, timed before their survey window, plus a focused review after leadership turnover or a difficult survey.
Ready for your mock survey?
Don’t wait for a real citation to start fixing compliance. Tell us your survey window and we will propose dates.