The minimum data set (MDS) is a tool for implementing standardized assessment and for facilitating care management in nursing homes (NH) and non-critical access hospital swing beds (SB). The new MDS 3.0 has been designed to improve the reliability, accuracy, and usefulness of the MDS, to include the resident in the assessment process, and to use standard protocols used in other settings.
In addition to ongoing updates on MDS, LeadingAge offers provider members the ability to ask an expert your specific questions. Questions are answered within a few business days.
Featured Content
CMS Adds Three MDS-based Quality Measures to the Casper Reports
Quality Measures now on Casper Report.
CMS Releases RAI Manual Errata Document V1.15R
CMS has released replacement pages for the RAI Manual with changes in three key sections of the MDS.
Questions and Answers for Coding Opiods in Section N0410H
Record the number of days an opioid medication was received by the resident at any time during the 7-day look-back period (or since admission/entry or reentry if less than 7 days).
Discussion of the Interpretative Guidelines for F655, Baseline Care Plan
As expected, CMS has released the interpretative guidelines (IG) for new regulations that will be effective for surveys after Nov 28, 2017. One completely new requirement concerns the baseline care plan. The IG have a few points all providers need to understand and implement.
New Category of Reports Available through the Casper Reporting System
This guide explains how the SNF-QRP measures are calculated, both MDS- and claims-based measures. It shows the calculator fields for the MDS-based measures that must not be dashed on the MDS.
Coding Pressure Ulcers on the MDS
Coding pressure ulcers on the MDS can be confusing. This article explains how to determine which pressure ulcers to code in which items in Section M.
Section GG: Latest News
Section GG is now required on the PPS 5 day MDS and on qualifying Part A PPS Discharge Assessments. As with all new things, questions remain. Following is a list of the most frequent recently raised member questions members.
LeadingAge Offers Thoughts on Cardiac Bundles
LeadingAge submitted a comment letter to CMS October 3 requesting amendments to the proposed rule expanding episodic payment models.
Coding Section GG: Functional Abilities and Goals
Medicare Part A stays that begin October 1, 2016 and beyond will require a new MDS section on the PPS 5 day assessment and the Part A PPS Discharge Assessment.
Final Manual Published – RAI Updates
The final RAI manual has been published by CMS with some substantive changes from the previous draft.
New MDS-Based Quality Measures on Nursing Home Compare: MDS Coding Primer
In April CMS introduced two new MDS-based quality measures to NH compare. These will be phased in to the Five Star Rating System by January 2016. These measures are calculated using two ADLs in G0110 that have not been used before. Judy Wilhide Brandt, RN, reviews the coding for these new measures