Q&A: Am I able to code “yes” in item J1400, Prognosis, when the documentation supporting “life expectancy less than six months” is signed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, or is a physician signature required?

MDS 3.0 and the RAI Process / NAC / Q&A

Question: Am I able to code “yes” in item J1400, Prognosis, when the documentation supporting “life expectancy less than six months” is signed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants, or is a physician signature required? Answer from Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: Yes, if allowable by state laws, on …

Q&A: Can I set a 5-Day PPS assessment on a non-billable day such as a skip day? The resident was sent to the hospital, did not return prior to midnight, and was not admitted.

Billing and Reimbursement / NAC / Q&A

Question: Can I set a 5-Day PPS assessment on a non-billable day such as a skip day? The resident was sent to the hospital, did not return prior to midnight, and was not admitted. Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: No, the ARD for the 5-Day cannot …

Q&A: What specialized training is needed to capture respiratory therapy provided by nurses?  

MDS 3.0 and the RAI Process / NAC / Q&A

Question: What specialized training is needed to capture respiratory therapy provided by nurses?   Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC:The Glossary of the RAI User’s Manual (Appendix A-22) states this: Respiratory Therapy Services that are provided by a qualified professional (respiratory therapists, respiratory nurse). Respiratory therapy services …

New Year, New Measure: Making Sense of the Long-Stay Antipsychotic Re-Specification – Jan. 29, 2026

DNS / NAC / On-demand Webinar

Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1 CE hourRecording Date: Jan. 29, 2026Duration: 60 minutesSpeaker: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA It’s resolution season, and this year we’re resolving to make the long-stay antipsychotic quality measure (QM) make sense! The 2026 re-specifications bring a new hybrid approach that blends MDS data with Medicare and Medicaid claims/encounter data. …

How to Improve Respect for the NAC Role

Leadership and Management / NAC / Podcast

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the self-perception of those working as the role of the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and how …

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Q&A: The SNF QRP Data Validation Audit notification letter requested Admission and Discharge assessments. What assessments should be submitted?

Billing and Reimbursement / NAC / Q&A

Question: The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) Data Validation Audit notification letter requested Admission and Discharge assessments. What assessments should be submitted? Answer from Jessie McGill RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT: On the notification letter, there are instructions for the “MDS Assessment Type is Admission” or a “Discharge.” …

Q&A: When a resident is discharged to the hospital and admitted with a diagnosis of UTI. Does the UTI get coded on the discharge return anticipated MDS? 

MDS 3.0 and the RAI Process / NAC / Q&A

Question: When a resident is discharged to the hospital and admitted with a diagnosis of UTI. Does the UTI get coded on the discharge return anticipated MDS?  Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: If the diagnosis of UTI did not occur until the resident was at the …

Q&A: How do I code the “Will [care area] be addressed in the care plan” question when a resident discharges return not anticipated before the care plan is complete?  

MDS 3.0 and the RAI Process / NAC / Q&A

Question: How do I code the “Will [care area] be addressed in the care plan” question when a resident discharges return not anticipated before the care plan is complete?   Answer from Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC: Federally, if the care plan was not completed because the resident …