ADD – EFFECTIVE 01/01/2026 Major Category I. B. – Cardiac Catheterization Major Category III. A. – Chemotherapy Major Category III. C. -Radioisotopes and their Administration TERMINATE – EFFECTIVE 01/01/2026 Major Category III. A. – Chemotherapy Major Category III. D. – Customized Prosthetic Devices Downloads From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/skilled-nursing-facility-snf-consolidated-billing/2026-part-mac-update
These files include updates for FY 2026. Use these codes for discharges occurring from April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026, and for patient encounters occurring from April 1, 2026– September 30, 2026. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes
The AAPACN Physician Certification Tracker tool helps nurse assessment coordinators track physician certification due dates by calculating required timeframes based on user-entered data and displaying upcoming and overdue certifications to support compliance. The accuracy of the tool depends on the accuracy of the information entered, so timely and precise data …
The career path of a director of nursing services (DNS) is both challenging and rewarding. Long-term care nurses who choose to take on the DNS role can have success with the right resources. Part two of this DNS Career Advancement blog series will focus on tips for competent DNSs and …
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 Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN discuss when and why the SNF Advanced Beneficiary Notice should be used.
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Question: A resident has a healing pressure ulcer that was described as “100 % epithelial, with slow blanching erythema” during the ARD window. Would this still be coded as a pressure ulcer? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: Code the ulcer as present unless completely healed …
Question: If a resident is losing weight and ordered supplements as an intervention, can we code as a therapeutic diet? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC:If the supplements were ordered by a physician or physician extender (as allowed in your state) to increase nutrients in the diet …
Question: If a resident on Medicare Part A admits and discharges to home on the same day, can we bill Medicare for that day? Answer from Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, ICC, IPCO: If a Medicare resident discharges to a non-Medicare participating location (home, expires) the same day …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated data validation audits to evaluate the accuracy of quality measure data elements used in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program. The SNF Validation Audit Checklist guides SNFs through the data validation audit …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual, version (V)18.0, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. This update contains the re-specification of the Long Stay Antipsychotic Measure to include Medicare and Medicaid claims and encounter data, in …
