Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Each spring, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releases the proposed Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) rule, offering providers and stakeholders an opportunity to respond before policies are finalized. For FY 2027, the …
In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, CRC, curriculum development specialists for AAPACN, discuss interrupted stays and the questions nurse assessment coordinators have about applying the interrupted stay policy in practice. Additional Resources: Get Expert Insights—On Demand Don’t …
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In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode provided by AAPACN Diamond Business Partner, eBrief, Dr. Richard Stefanacci and Amy Chidester, MS, LNHA explore why one of the most common challenges in skilled nursing is often one of the least discussed. The conversation examines the connection between incontinence management, quality measures, and emerging technologies …
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Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Every quarter, many nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) eagerly wait for the Care Compare refresh, hoping to see their facility’s Five-Star Quality Measure (QM) rating improve. When the update falls short, the natural reaction is to scrutinize the reports, …
Question: When determining a skilled resident’s usual performance during the 3-day section GG assessment period, should staff consider the resident’s performance with therapy in both the nursing unit and the therapy gym? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: The usual performance should be assessed in all areas …
Question: Can anything related to routine ostomy care, such as applying stoma powder, molding a barrier ring, or cutting a colostomy adhesive, be coded in section M, or is it addressed only in section H? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, CRC: I would not code anything for routine …
Question: A resident ended her Medicare Part A stay on July 7 and remained in the facility under custodial care. She transferred to the hospital three weeks later. If she returns without meeting a new three-day qualifying hospital stay (QHS), could she receive skilled coverage because she is within 30 …
AAPACN’s new tool, the Medical Review: Appeal or Improve Decision Tree, helps the interdisciplinary team evaluate an unfavorable medical review determination and decide whether to pursue an appeal or focus on education and process improvement. The tool guides users through key questions about available documentation, whether that documentation was submitted …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-26-12-NH, Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Transition to iQIES, announcing that the PBJ system will transition to the Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) on Aug. 17, 2026. Beginning on that date, providers and vendors must submit all PBJ staffing data …
Key links are listed first. Fact sheet is below. Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027: From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/prospective-payment-systems/skilled-nursing-facility-snf/list-federal-regulations/cms-1843-f FINAL SNF QRP New and Modified Items Effective Date: October 1, 2029 From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/snf-quality-reporting-program/measures-and-technical-information Fact Sheet Fiscal Year 2027 …
