Key report excerpts re: SNFs: Within the Traditional Medicare program, reducing improper payments remains a challenge. The improper payment rate reported in FY 2024, 7.66 percent, has not decreased from the rates reported in FYs 2022 or 2023. The four categories with the largest dollars in improper payments in FY 2024 …
The PBJ system has been updated to accept optional hire and termination dates up to 12/31/2050. CMS helpdesk is starting to get tickets regarding this update, so we are following up with clarifications. Please ensure that your systems are updated so that your submissions are not impacted. The full memo is …
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 falls with major injury and a sneak peek into McGill’s breakout session at the AAPACN 2026 …
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:13 — 8.3MB) | Embed
Question: Is a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) required for a new pressure ulcer? Answer from Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC: A Significant Change in Status Assessment is required if there are two or more areas of decline or improvement that will not resolve on its own …
Question: When a resident changes payers from Medicare Advantage to Traditional Medicare, are the Medicare Advantage days subtracted from the Medicare 100-day benefit period? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: Yes, days billed under Medicare Advantage are subtracted from the resident’s 100-day benefit period. This AAPACN resource …
Question: If a Discharge – return not anticipated was completed for a resident discharge against medical advice (AMA), and he returned less than 30 days later, is a new OBRA Admission assessment required? Answer from Jessie McGill RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: When the OBRA discharge is named “Return not anticipated” …
Consolidated billing specifies that the SNF is the responsible party for the billing of the entire package of care the resident receives during a covered Part A SNF stay, as well as identifies a limited number of services specifically excluded from consolidated billing, and therefore, separately payable. The Centers for …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. The Oct. 1, 2025, update to the definitions of “fall” and “major injury” in the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual) has left many nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) with questions about what …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Mandates to notify or inform the resident and/or their representative about an array of clinical and service issues are woven throughout the resident rights F-tags and other surveyor guidance in Appendix PP, “Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care …
Care Compare refreshes MDS 3.0 Quality Measure (QM) data quarterly in January, April, July, and October with the most recent four full quarters of data. AAPACN’s Five-Star and Care Compare MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Data Periods tools identify exactly which quarters will be publicly reported and used in Five-Star with each Care …
