by Proactive LTC Consulting | May 13, 2026 | Coding, Compliance, Documentation, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nutrition, PDPM, Reimbursement
Q: Can IV fluids be coded in K0520A (Parenteral/IV Feeding) on the MDS? A: Yes — but only when the IV fluids are administered specifically to address a nutrition or hydration need and there is supporting documentation in the medical record. CMS clarifies that...
by Proactive LTC Consulting | Mar 18, 2026 | 5-Star, Coding, Education, ICD.10, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing Home Consultant, Quality, Quality Measure, Reimbursement, SNF
Impact of Primary Diagnosis Selection on the Quality Measures A well‑chosen primary diagnosis and accurate coding of all active diagnoses on the MDS does more than impact reimbursement. It shapes a resident’s clinical category, which in turn determines whether the...
by Proactive LTC Consulting | Dec 10, 2025 | Care Planning, Clinical, Coding, Dietary, Documentation, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing, PDPM, Physicians
Q: Can I code Malnutrition (Section I5600) on the MDS based on a dietary assessment that identifies the resident as at risk for malnutrition? A: No. Dietitian assessments alone do not provide sufficient documentation for coding of this item on the MDS. ...
by Proactive LTC Consulting | Nov 19, 2025 | Documentation, MDS, Medicaid, Nursing, PDPM, Quality, Regulatory, Reimbursement
Medicaid Case Mix Index Under PDPM: What LTC Facilities Need to Know As of October 1, 2025, the nationwide transition away from RUG-based Medicaid systems marks a major shift for long-term care. With more states moving to PDPM-based methodologies—and many...
by Proactive LTC Consulting | Oct 15, 2025 | Care Planning, Compliance, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, PDPM, Quality, Quality Measure, Reimbursement, Survey
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...
by Proactive LTC Consulting | Oct 1, 2025 | Coding, Compliance, Depression, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing, PDPM, Reimbursement
Q: I have recently been directed, when completing the PHQ-2 to 9, that if a resident acknowledges a symptom, but is unable to give a frequency, I should dash both questions (column 1 and 2). Is this correct? A: No, this is incorrect. If a resident answers “yes”...
