Ask Proactive – During the COVID-19 Pandemic, some states have been allowing facilities to temporarily certify beds during the declared pandemic emergency for Medicare/Medicaid that were not already certified. Do MDS Assessments have to be completed for residents in these beds, that are only certified temporarily?

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, some states have been allowing facilities to temporarily certify beds during the declared pandemic emergency for Medicare/Medicaid that were not already certified.  Do MDS Assessments have to be completed for residents in these beds, that are only certified temporarily?

A:

Yes.  Whenever a bed becomes certified for Medicare and/or Medicaid, MDS assessments must be completed in accordance with the required schedules for the residents in the bed regardless of their payor source.  This would include an entry tracking record, and an admission assessment if the resident is still in the bed by the 14^th day from admission.  As long as the resident remains in the temporarily certified bed, MDS assessments must be completed until the facility request to remove the temporary certification is approved, or the State announces that the emergency temporary certifications are discontinued.