Everything You Need to Know About the AAPACN Podcasts—LTC DON Chat and LTC NAC Chat

The AAPACN Podcasts—LTC DON Chat and LTC NAC Chat—offer tips, strategies, updates, advice, and breaking news on the most important topics in long-term and post-acute care. Regular hosts and AAPACN staff members provide their own best practices and insights, as well as a breakdown of updates and regulations. They also …

No Script, No Limits: Open Q&A with AAPACN Nurse Experts – April 23, 2026

Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: This webinar is not eligible for CEsRecording Date: April 23, 2026Duration: 60 minutesSpeakers: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Lauren Stenson, MSN, DNP(c), RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT View the recorded AAPACN Nurse Experts panel discussion, featuring …

Cross-Setting: Falls with Major Injury (FMI) QM Respecification Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a Web-Based Training that provides the latest information about the respecification of the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) Quality Measure (QM) for the Post-Acute Care (PAC) Settings. The training provides an overview of the legacy and respecified FMI Measure, discusses …

TIP: CMS Proposed Major Changes to SNF QRP Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule. Stakeholders have until June 1, 2026, to submit comments on the proposals. The following is a high-level overview of the proposed changes. CMS proposed to: Additional details can be found on …

Quick Reference Guide: Traumatic versus Pathologic Fracture

This quick reference tool helps interdisciplinary team members accurately distinguish between traumatic and pathological fractures for ICD-10-CM and MDS coding. It provides side-by-side guidance on coding rules, 7th character use, section I diagnosis coding (including I8000), and MDS item J1900C (falls with major injury). Use this tool to improve coding …

Q&A: Can Medicare Part A continue for a new pressure ulcer not related to the hospital stay?

Question:  A resident admitted after hospitalization is completing therapy but developed an unstageable pressure ulcer during the SNF stay. Can Medicare Part A continue for skilled nursing, even though the condition was not part of the qualifying hospital stay? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: The rule …

Q&A: What should be done with an incomplete MDS if a resident passes away?

Question: If a resident dies before an assessment is completed, should the MDS be finished or canceled? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC: When a resident dies while in the middle of the completion of an assessment but before it is required to be completed, you should …

Q&A: Does one new pressure ulcer require a Significant Change in Status Assessment?

Question: If a resident develops a blood blister or pressure ulcer but has no other decline in ADLs, cognition, or condition, is a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) required? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: A new pressure ulcer is one area of decline. We are …

QSO Memo on Nurse Aide Training Competencies

Clarification regarding Nurse Aide Training Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) requirements and allowable flexibilities Memo # QSO-26-08-NH Posting Date 2026-04-08 Fiscal Year 2026 Memorandum Summary Clarification of NATCEP Requirements and allowable flexibilities: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is clarifying NATCEP/CEP requirements and permissible flexibilities …

FY 2027 SNF PPS Proposed Rule: Associated Resources

From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/skilled-nursing-facility-snf/list-federal-regulations/cms-1843-p DRAFT SNF QRP New and Modified Items with a Proposed Effective Date of October 1, 2031: FY27_Proposed_Rule_SNF_All_Payer_draft_mockups_MDS__508.pdf (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/snf-quality-reporting-program/measures-and-technical-information Draft MDS re: proposed removal of MDS item O0350 on Oct. 1, 2027: CMS-10387 from https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/paperworkreductionactof1995/pra-listing-items/cms-10387