In late January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the memo QSO-23-01-NH, changing the selection criteria for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program from staffing to falls. In the memo, CMS noted: CMS is revising the focus area for selection to emphasize the prevalence of falls among …
The SNF Calendar: Key Dates for 2026 QM, VBP, QRP, and PBJ, provides a quick reference highlighting key 2026 deadlines and milestones for skilled nursing facilities. This tool includes quality measures (QMs), Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, Quality Reporting Program (QRP), and Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) submissions, Care Compare Refreshes, CMS rule …
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 for AAPACN, discuss some of the highlights of LaBay’s AAPACN conference session, “Express Pass to Precision: Tackling Tricky ICD-10-CM …
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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 …
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 …
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 …
Memo # QSO-23-01-NH REVISED Fiscal Year 2026 Downloads
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. …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. February’s designation as American Heart Month offers an important opportunity to reflect on the role of cardiovascular health in long-term care (LTC). Cardiac conditions such as heart disease, hypertension (HTN), and heart failure are among the most frequently …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. A strong infection prevention and control plan should serve as the foundation of the comprehensive care plan for any resident with a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO), says Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC, director of education …
