News for MDS Experts

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💡 MDS Tip of the Day: Mastering Section O 💡

Section O of the MDS is important for accurately reporting Special Treatments, Procedures, and Programs, it reflects the complexity of resident care and directly impacts facility compliance and reimbursement.

🛠️ Tip:
- Capture Everything: Include all therapy services, ventilator or oxygen use, dialysis, and other special treatments during the lookback period.
- Stay Consistent: Verify that treatments documented in the medical record align with what’s coded on the MDS.
- Monitor Accuracy: Miscoding can result in missed reimbursement opportunities or compliance issues.

🔍 Why It Matters:
Accurate Section O coding not only ensures regulatory compliance but also showcases the quality of care provided, supports appropriate reimbursement, and contributes to your facility's performance on Quality Measures.

✅ Take the time to review, document, and code correctly—it pays off for your residents and your facility!

#MDSTips #AccurateCoding #PostAcuteCare #SectionO #MDSCompliance ... See MoreSee Less

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📢 Spotlight on HFCAP: What NY Nursing Homes Need to Know

The Health Facility Cash Assessment Program (HFCAP) is a vital tax that has been impacting New York State's healthcare facilities. Rochester’s Channel 10 News WHEC recently broke the story and interviewed the NYS Department of Health to provide key insights.

💡 Key Highlights:
- Nursing homes pay a 6.8% assessment on cash operating receipts, extended through March 31, 2025.
- In 2023, NY collected $641 million, with $470 million already collected in 2024.
- Funds are a critical source for Medicaid programs, supporting nursing homes and long-term care.

🎙️ From NYS Department of Health’s Interview with WHEC:
"This assessment helps fund Medicaid programs, including spending on nursing homes and other long-term care programs."

📊 Why It Matters:
Accurate MDS completion ensures proper documentation of resident care and maximizes reimbursement opportunities for facilities navigating these assessments.

🔧 How MDS Consultants Can Help:
We offer case mix reviews, MDS audits, and training to help your facility stay compliant and optimize funding.

🔗 Read the Full Article: cstu.io/34ed61
🔗 Learn More: cstu.io/b25f7d.

#LongTermCare #MDSAccuracy #MedicaidFunding #HFCAP #HealthcareCompliance ... See MoreSee Less

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📅 Upcoming Webinar: Jan 28 | The Complexity of Coding Active Diagnoses on the MDS

Accurately coding Section I of the MDS can be challenging, especially when it comes to identifying active diagnoses. Errors here can impact quality measures, care plans, and compliance.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
- Review coding criteria for active diagnoses per the RAI Manual
- Identify common miscoding errors in Section I
- Discuss processes to ensure accuracy and monitor results

📅 Who Should Attend?
Administrators, Directors of Nursing Services, Nurse Assessment Coordinators, MDS Coordinators, and IDT members.

👩‍🏫 Meet Your Trainers:
Jessica Stucin, RN, BSN, LNHA, RAC-MT, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, QCP

🔗 Don’t miss out on this essential session! Join MDS Experts to gain access to this and other valuable webinars.

Register Here: cstu.io/3f6fbf

#MDSEducation #LongTermCare #MDSCoordinator #PostAcuteCare ... See MoreSee Less

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🔍 MDS Tip for Section N: Medications 💊

Accurate coding in Section N is important for reflecting a resident's medication regimen:

✅ Coding Alert: Code all high-risk drug class medications according to their pharmacological classification, not how they are being used.
✅ PRN Medications: Include PRN medications only if they were given during the lookback period.
✅ Review MAR/TAR: Verify that all medications administered during the 7-day lookback period are accurately documented in the Medical Administration Record (MAR) or Treatment Administration Record (TAR).

📌 Why It Matters:
𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀:
- Quality Measures (e.g., antipsychotic and psychotropic medication use).
- Care planning and risk identification.
- Survey compliance and facility audits.

#MDSTips #SectionN #QualityCare #AccurateCoding ... See MoreSee Less

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📚 Did You Know?

The RAI system and MDS have been essential in long-term care since 1990! Introduced by CMS, they standardize assessments, improve quality care, and ensure compliance.

Over the years, updates to the MDS and RAI Manual have kept pace with evolving care practices, helping facilities deliver better, person-centered outcomes.

#DidYouKnow #raihistory #mdsexperts #LongTermCare ... See MoreSee Less

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🩹 Spotlight on Section M: Skin Conditions 🩹

Did you know that Section M of the MDS focuses on identifying and addressing skin conditions like pressure ulcers? Accurate coding in this section is important—not just for compliance, but for improving resident outcomes and ensuring quality care.

📋 Key Tips for Section M Accuracy:
- Always document the exact stage of pressure ulcers or injuries.
- Use current, supporting documentation for coding.
- Collaborate with the care team to monitor healing and prevent new skin issues.

💡 Pro Tip: Early intervention and meticulous documentation can help facilities improve quality measures and enhance resident satisfaction!

#mdsaccuracy #SectionM #skinintegrity #LongTermCare #QualityCare ... See MoreSee Less