News / Blog
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Mandatory Off-Cycle SNF Revalidation Process—What You Need to Know
Mandatory Off-cycle SNF Revalidation Process—What You Need to Know CMS will be notifying facilities via letter sent from their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) sometime between October to December 2024 that they must complete the off-cycle revalidation...
Mandatory Update to SNF ABN (CMS-10055) – 10/31/2024
Mandatory update to SNF ABN (CMS-10055) – 10/31/2024 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update to the Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF ABN)—Form CMS-10055 in August. The revised form and updated...
Ask Proactive – We have a resident with a chronic stage IV pressure ulcer who recently had flap surgery to close the wound. Do I continue to code the stage IV on the MDS?
Q: We have a resident with a chronic stage IV pressure ulcer who recently had flap surgery to close the wound. Do I continue to code the stage IV on the MDS? A: According to the RAI (pg. M-6), if a pressure ulcer is surgically closed with a flap or...
Ask Proactive – Our social worker attempted to complete the BIMS with a resident, but the resident refused to answer the questions. As a result, the social worker coded all responses in C0200, 0300 and 0400 as “0” with a BIMS Summary Score of “00” at C0500. This seems odd because the resident’s previous BIMS scores have been 14 or15. When I interact with the resident, I don’t observe any cognitive decline, and the staff report no concerns either. Is this BIMS coding correct?
Q: Our social worker attempted to complete the BIMS with a resident, but the resident refused to answer the questions. As a result, the social worker coded all responses in C0200, 0300 and 0400 as “0” with a BIMS Summary Score of “00” at C0500. This seems odd because...
LTC Advance Directives: Key to Resident-Centered Care
LTC Advance Directives: Key to Resident-Centered Care As the population ages and more individuals transition into long-term care (LTC) facilities, ensuring personalized, dignified care becomes increasingly important.. One of the most essential tools in achieving this...
Ask Proactive – My facility is triggering high for the Quality Measure: Prevalence of Behavior Symptoms Affecting Others, but we don’t have many behavioral issues in our population. Why is this happening?
Q: My facility is triggering high for the Quality Measure: Prevalence of Behavior Symptoms Affecting Others, but we don’t have many behavioral issues in our population. Why is this happening? A: This measure may trigger if the most recent MDS is coded...
Refusal of Care & Non-Adherence to Care Plan
Addressing Refusal of Care and Non-Adherence to Care Plans in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Strategies for Success Refusal of care and non-adherence to care plans by residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) present significant challenges for healthcare teams. When...
Supportive Documentation for ADL Care, Functional Declines, & Restorative Nursing
Nursing home regulations are designed to ensure that residents receive quality care while maintaining their dignity and independence. Two key regulations, F676 (Quality of Life) and F688 (Mobility), focus on monitoring a resident’s ability to perform Activities of...
Ask Proactive – I accidentally submitted a 5-Day assessment for Managed Care. What steps should I take to correct the situation?
Q: I accidentally submitted a 5-Day assessment for Managed Care. What steps should I take to correct the situation? A: Updated information has been provided in the Final MDS 3.0 RAI October 2024 section 5.8 page 5-14 to clarify how facilities...
Ask Proactive – How should we handle staffing challenges during peak flu season?
Q: How should we handle staffing challenges during peak flu season? A: During peak flu season, having a robust staffing plan is essential. This includes cross-training staff to fill multiple roles, establishing partnerships with local staffing agencies...
Falling Leaves, Pumpkin Spice and MDS Changes
October 1st is right around the corner which means new MDS changes. While there are fewer changes as compared to 2023, this year brings several important updates. So, sit back with your pumpkin spice latte and read on for the key MDS update information you need to...
Substance Use Disorders in LTC
Addressing Substance Use Disorders in Long-Term Care: A Growing Need for Comprehensive Care As the population ages, long-term care (LTC) facilities are increasingly encountering residents with complex health needs, including Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Once...
Ask Proactive – Our facility is triggering the UTI QM, and we have identified that many of these are the result of the hospital diagnosing a UTI that does not meet our infection criteria. Do we have to code those on the MDS if they occur during the look-back period?
Q: Our facility is triggering the UTI QM, and we have identified that many of these are the result of the hospital diagnosing a UTI that does not meet our infection criteria. Do we have to code those on the MDS if they occur during the look-back period? ...
Ask Proactive – What are some effective strategies for improving staff engagement and retention in nursing homes?
Q: What are some effective strategies for improving staff engagement and retention in nursing homes? A: Improving staff engagement and retention is crucial for maintaining high-quality care in nursing homes. Here are some strategies: Offer Competitive...
A Guide to Effective Care Plan Meetings
Effective care plan meetings are crucial for delivering high-quality care in skilled nursing facilities. These meetings ensure that each resident receives personalized and comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. Care plan development...