Q:
Your MDS Coordinator could come to you at any time needing an emergency medical leave, giving notice, or simply deciding that the role is no longer a good fit. What potential challenges could arise if you don’t have an experienced person to fill the position, and what can you do to prevent issues?
A:
An unexpected MDS Coordinator vacancy can create immediate operational and financial disruptions for a skilled nursing facility. The MDS process drives accurate reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and quality reporting. Without experienced coverage, significant risks can escalate quickly:
- Missed or late MDS submissions, resulting in compliance deficiencies and payment delays
- Inaccurate PDPM coding, leading to underpayment, denials, or audit exposure
- Incomplete or outdated care plans, which can negatively impact survey outcomes and resident care quality
- Interrupted communication among the interdisciplinary team (IDT), causing confusion with assessment scheduling, care planning, and follow-up documentation
- Declining Quality Measures, as inaccurate or incomplete MDS data may inflate rates of falls, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic use, or ADL decline—directly affecting a facility’s publicly reported performance and 5-Star ratings
To avoid these challenges, it’s critical to establish a contingency plan for qualified interim MDS support. An experienced professional can step in immediately to:
- Maintain timely and compliant MDS submissions
- Ensure accuracy in PDPM and CMI classifications
- Protect the integrity of Quality Measure data
- Sustain IDT communication and care planning consistency
Proactive LTC Consulting provides experienced MDS specialists who can bridge coverage gaps, safeguard compliance, protect reimbursement, and maintain Quality Measure performance during staff transitions or emergencies. Contact us to today to learn more about establishing a PRN partnership to meet MDS support needs.
Written By:
Sarah Becker, RN, RAC-CT, DNS-CT, QCP
Director of Clinical Reimbursement
Proactive LTC Consulting
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