Ask Proactive – 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?

by | 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...

Ask Proactive – 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?

by | 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”...

Ask Proactive – Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents?

by | Aug 4, 2025 | Billing, Compliance, MDS, Reimbursement, Survey

Q: Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents?   A: A Denial of Payment for new admissions (DPNA) is a CMS enforcement remedy that...