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Safeguarding Residents: F880 Infection Prevention and Control
Safeguarding Residents: F880 Infection Prevention and Control F880 Infection prevention and control is the most frequently cited deficiency for surveys conducted during FY2025, with over 3,000 violations according to Casper data. When assessing compliance with...
Ask Proactive – Q: Are wounds not otherwise classified on the MDS supposed to be coded at M1040D. Open lesion(s) other than ulcers, rashes, cuts?
Q: Are wounds not otherwise classified on the MDS supposed to be coded at M1040D. Open lesion(s) other than ulcers, rashes, cuts? A: Accurate coding of skin conditions on the MDS must begin with determining the underlying cause (etiology) of the skin issue....
CMS Releases Draft MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.20.1
CMS has released the draft version of the MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual (v1.20.1), now available on the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual page. While the manual is still in draft form, the changes are significant and go into effect October 1, 2025. Facilities should begin planning now...
Home Health News: Home Health Care CAHPS Survey of Patient Experience
Home Health Care CAHPS Survey of Patient Experience Moving the needle on the HHCAHPS in home health requires a targeted approach to implementing standard care practices, prioritizing education for clinicians, patients, and caregivers, and emphasizing patient...
Ask Proactive – I am having difficulty keeping up with care plan updates. What are some tips and strategies to keep care plans up-to-date?
Q: I am having difficulty keeping up with care plan updates. What are some tips and strategies to keep care plans up-to-date? A: Maintaining timely and accurate updates to resident care plans is essential not only for delivering quality, person-centered care,...
Safeguarding Residents – F689 Managing Elopement in LTC
Safeguarding Residents – F689 Managing Elopement in LTC Elopement is one of the most urgent safety risks in long term care, often leading to devastating outcomes and serious regulatory citations. Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents is a top priority...
Ask Proactive – My IDT team determined one of our residents needs a Significant Change assessment completed. I set the ARD, is it correct that I have 14 days from the ARD to complete this?
Q: My IDT team determined one of our residents needs a Significant Change assessment completed. I set the ARD, is it correct that I have 14 days from the ARD to complete this? A: No, the completion date for a Significant Change assessment is not based on the...
Home Health News: Preview Reports and Star Rating Preview Reports for the July 2025 Refresh
Preview Reports and Star Rating Preview Reports for the July 2025 Refresh The HHA Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. These reports contain provider performance scores for quality measures, which will be published on the compare tool on...
Crack the Code to Payment Accuracy: Why ICD-10 Coding Proficiency Matters Now More Than Ever
Crack the Code to Payment Accuracy: Why ICD-10 Coding Proficiency Matters Now More Than Ever In today’s reimbursement-driven healthcare environment, one thing is clear: accurate coding isn’t optional—it’s essential. For Skilled Nursing Facilities, ICD-10 coding...
Ask Proactive – What is the time frame in which a 5-day assessment should be completed?
Q: What is the time frame in which a 5-day assessment should be completed? A: The answer depends on whether the 5-day MDS is combined with the OBRA admission assessment or completed as a stand-alone Medicare 5-day MDS. When combined with the OBRA admission...
Private Duty: The Impact of Recruiting on Revenue
Private Duty: The Impact of Recruiting on Revenue Are you a home health agency or private duty provider struggling to build census and billable hours? The financial success of private duty is truly an art that begins with recruiting. Private Duty Financial...
F641 Accuracy of MDS Assessments – Revised LTC Surveyor Guidance
F641 Accuracy of MDS Assessments – Revised LTC Surveyor Guidance CMS and the Department of Health & Human Services released an updated version of the LTC Surveyor Guidance on March 10, 2025. This update, which revises the earlier January 16th release, takes...
The State of SNF Medical Review in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Key Findings
The State of SNF Medical Review in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Key Findings Medical review of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) continues to be a focus of Medicare and Medicare Advantage oversight activities in 2025. With increased scrutiny from Medicare...
Home Health and Hospice Revenue Cycle Management
Home Health and Hospice Revenue Cycle Management Efficiencies with revenue cycle management begin with intake and end with collections. Let’s review the key considerations for agencies to effectively manage billing processes for compliance, ample cash flow and...
Don’t Postpone Preparing for CMS’ Revised Surveyor Guidance
Don't Postpone Preparing for CMS' Revised Surveyor Guidance Take advantage of the revisions to the surveyor guidance being delayed until April 28, 2025 to hardwire preparation for the changes. Now is the opportunity to complete a thorough review of the Appendix...