MDS Consultants

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a summary report on the virtual Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Listening Session that was held on October 1, 2024, by RTI International. The report presents a summary of the presentation for each discussion topic, input from interested parties for each of the discussion questions, and key findings related to feedback received on the possible expansion of collection and submission of Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment data used for the SNF QRP to include all residents receiving short-term skilled care in a SNF regardless of payer. https://cstu.io/abd79a

???????????????? ??????????????????: ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ?? Did you know? The first modern nursing homes emerged in the 1930s, thanks to the Social Security Act! Over the decades, they’ve transformed from basic old-age homes into vital healthcare hubs, offering specialized care and community support for millions of residents. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible progress and innovation in skilled nursing facilities that continue to improve the lives of so many! ?? #WellnessWednesday #NursingHomes #QualityCare

?? ???????????????? ???????????? ??????????????: ?????????????????? ?????????????? ??, ???????? ?? The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has renewed the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC, CMS-10123), and the Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage (DENC, CMS-10124). ?? ???????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ????? - NOMNC: Informs beneficiaries of their right to request expedited determinations when services are ending. - DENC: Explains why services are ending if a beneficiary requests an expedited determination. ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ????????- ?????? ??????????????: - NOMNC: Adds fast-track appeal rights for untimely or post-service appeals. - DENC: Requires updates on condition changes for repeat appeals. ?? ??????’?? ????????????????? - HHAs, SNFs, Hospices, and CORFs. ?? ????????????????: - Current forms valid until 12/31/2024. - Updated forms required 1/1/2025. ?? Updated forms and instructions are available for download, including Spanish versions. https://cstu.io/5bb677 Stay compliant—download your copies today! #MedicareCompliance #HealthcareUpdates #LTCLeadership

?? Mark Your Calendar: Dec 3 | Roundtable Regroup: MDS System Management ?? Join the MDS Consultants team for a roundtable discussion on MDS System Management. This is your chance to gain information, get clarity, and dive deep into the complex MDS process! ?? ?? What You’ll Learn: - Best practices for scheduling assessments. - Guidance on completing resident interviews. - Tips for supporting documentation. - Streamlining MDS completion and communication with the IDT team. ?? Who Should Attend: Administrators, Directors of Nursing Services, Nurse Assessment Coordinators, MDS Coordinators, and MDS IDT members. ?? ???????????? ?????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????? ???? ??????????????! ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ????????????????, ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ??????????—????’???? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ????! ?? Don’t miss out on this learning opportunity! #MDSEducation #RoundtableRegroup #LTCLeadership

?? Saturday Spotlight: Did You Know? ?? Nursing homes are more than care facilities—they’re vibrant communities! ???? The average age of residents is 79, and many facilities go above and beyond to provide activities like art classes, music therapy, and even virtual reality experiences. Did you know? The CMS 5-Star Quality Rating System helps families choose the best care, pushing facilities to continually raise their standards for residents. ?? It’s incredible to see the creativity and dedication that make nursing homes a true home for so many. ?? #Spotlightsaturdayy #NursingHomes #ResidentCare #QualityMatters

?? Quality & Compliance: A Perfect Harmony in Skilled Nursing Facilities ?? Quality of care and compliance in skilled nursing facilities are no longer separate priorities—they are the foundation for success in today’s value-based healthcare landscape. As highlighted in an article by Renee Kinder in McKnight's Long-Term Care News, the recent ICPG (Individualized Compliance Program Guidance) from the OIG highlights integrating compliance with quality to achieve better outcomes, reduce risk, and support value-based reimbursement. Here’s how this synergy works: ?? Quality Drives Compliance: High standards in care reduce errors, improve outcomes, and demonstrate value. ?? Compliance Enhances Quality: Accurate documentation and ethical practices build trust with residents, families, and payers. ?? Why It Matters: ?? Aligning quality and compliance ensures better resident care and financial sustainability. ?? Rehab teams can lead the charge through data-driven insights, active QAPI participation, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. ?? Let’s champion both quality and compliance for a future where better care isn’t just a goal—it’s a measurable reality. https://lnkd.in/g6H5rn4P #QualityCare #ComplianceMatters #SkilledNursing #HealthcareExcellence #MDSInsights #McKnights

?? Friday Focus: Celebrating the Wins! ?? As we close out the week, let’s take a moment to reflect on the progress, big and small, that we’ve made in long-term care. From accurate MDS assessments to improved care plans and better quality measures, every step forward matters for our residents and our teams. ?? What’s been your biggest win this week in care, compliance, or collaboration? Let’s celebrate those moments of impact! ?? #HappyFriday #QualityCare #LongTermCareProfessionals #TeamworkInAction

QSEP has training for Long Term Care Appendix PP Regulatory and Interpretive Guidance Updates – Effective February 2025. Topics covered include Admission, Transfer, and Discharge, Pain Management, and Chemical Restraints, Unnecessary Psychotropic Medications, Accuracy of Assessment, and Professional Standards. Sign up for an account using an email and view the training. https://qsep.cms.gov/

The Nursing Facility ICPG—together with OIG’s General Compliance Program Guidance (GCPG) that applies to all individuals and entities involved in the health care industry—serves as OIG’s updated and centralized source of voluntary compliance program guidance for nursing facilities. ?????????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???????????? ?????????? ??????????. https://cstu.io/35fe0f

?? Medicare Advantage and End-of-Life Care: What You Should Know ?? A recent analysis highlighted in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (based on a Wall Street Journal report) revealed that over 300,000 seniors left Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in their final year of life between 2016 and 2022. Challenges like prior authorizations and care denials often limited access to skilled nursing and post-acute care, prompting many to switch back to traditional Medicare. ?? Key Insights: - End-of-life patients left MA plans at twice the rate of other enrollees. - This saved MA plans $10 billion in costs but shifted higher expenses to traditional Medicare. - Nearly 20% of those who switched accessed nursing home care within a week, compared to 3.9% of fee-for-service patients. https://lnkd.in/ei7HnjVK How do we ensure vulnerable patients receive the care they need, regardless of coverage plans? Let’s talk. ?? #MedicareAdvantage #LongTermCare #PostAcuteCare #HealthcareInsights