SNFinfo Connection News
Flash
April 19, 2004
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. CMS works more
changes into RAI User's Manual
2. Keep on top of PPS coding,
reimbursement issues
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TODAY'S NEWS
1. CMS WORKS MORE
CHANGES INTO RAI USER'S MANUAL
Just this past Friday,
representatives from CMS unveiled nearly 20 updates
in how nursing homes will fill out
the MDS. Participants at the American
Association of Nurse Assessment
Coordinators conference received a preview
of the latest changes and
clarifications to the Resident Assessment
Instrument (RAI) User's
Manual.
CMS spokespeople emphasized the
agency's intention is to stop using the
old question-and-answer format to
clear up MDS coding confusion and
instead put everything right in the
manual. "Our goal is to design the
manual so that it's one-stop
shopping," explained Mary Pratt, MSN, RN,
from CMS' Center for Beneficiary
Choices.
Controversial issues to conference
attendees included new guidance for
coding Section M, skin condition, and
item P1ac, IV medications. Expect to
see the RAI User's Manual revisions
on Thursday, April 22, CMS' deadline
for posting them on its Web site. Go
to
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/mds20
and click on "Manuals and Forms" to
see the updates.
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2. KEEP ON TOP OF CODING,
REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES
SNFs have to be pretty astute to
catch all of CMS' changes on filling out
the MDS these days. Besides continual
updates to the RAI User's Manual,
there are also MDS accuracy projects
to worry you. The Data Assessment and
Verification (DAVE) initiative,
quality measures, and survey deficiencies
can all highlight your SNF's MDS
coding problems.
But you don't have to go it alone. A
one-year subscription to the monthly
newsletter "PPS Alert for Long-Term
Care" can help. This 12-page
newsletter will keep you in the loop
on the latest from CMS, MDS coding
guidance, hot spots in accuracy, and
tips to get the reimbursement your
SNF earns. Take charge of your MDS
process with this popular and effective
tool, "PPS Alert for Long-Term Care."
Go to
http://www.hcmarketplace.com/Prod.cfm?id=60&S=ESNFI to order a
one-year
subscription for only $199. Or call
customer service at 800/650-6787.
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Go to
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**************************************************
Noelle Shough
Editor
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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