Q&A: With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury? With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury?

Question: With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury? With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, …

Q&A: I am confused by the new section GG guidance for when the activity “is being/will be” routinely performed. What does “will” mean?

Question: I am confused by the new section GG guidance for when the activity “is being/will be” routinely performed. What does “will” mean? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: The term “will” in this coding tip is likely referring to …

QAPI Focus: Section GG

AAPACN’s QAPI Focus: Section GG tool can be used at quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) meetings to focus specifically on concerns regarding section GG documentation and coding accuracy. This tool identifies specific section GG key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to demonstrate progress toward a data-driven proactive …

TIP: CMS Released Additional Updates to RAI User’s Manual v1.20.1

On Sept. 24, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated RAI User’s Manual version 1.20.1 and updated MDS item sets v1.20.1v4. The last-minute updates aligned the MDS item sets with the revisions to item J1900, which changed the definitions of injury (except major) and major …

Should SNFs Collect Removed Section R MDS Data—and Why Do HRSN Even Matter?

MDS section R (Health-Related Social Needs) did not go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) followed through on its proposal and eliminated—prior to implementation—items R0310 (Living Situation), R03020A (Within the Past 12 Months, You Worried That Your Food Would Run Out Before …

Section O Overhaul: Changes to Therapy Coding

The Long-Term Care Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual) version 1.20.1, effective Oct. 1, 2025, will bring major changes to section O of the MDS 3.0. The most significant update introduces item O0390, Therapy Services, replacing most of the current O0400 (Therapies) and removing O0420 (Distinct …

PDPM Grouper JAR Package V2.4000

This release was updated to support FY2026 ICD-10 codes which are used with MDS assessments with a target date on or after October 1, 2025. As part of this release, 487 clinical category mappings were added, 28 clinical category mappings were removed, and 34 clinical category mappings were modified. Additionally, 3 …

AAPACN Resources to Help Prepare for Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Changes

AAPACN Resources to Help Prepare for Oct. 1, 2025, MDS Changes The Long Term-Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual version 1.20.1 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) goes into effect for nursing homes on Oct. 1, 2025. To ensure nurse assessment coordinators, directors of …

Oct. 2025 RAI User’s Manual – Unexpected Updates 

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 some of the unexpected changes released in the final draft of the RAI User’s Manual version …

The Safety Net: Catch Readmission Risks Before They Escalate – Oct. 16, 2025

Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1 CE hourRecording Date: Oct. 16, 2025Duration: 60 minutesSpeaker: Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT Extensive readmissions have a wide impact, including clinical and quality of life consequences, financial and regulatory implications, impacts to facility reputation, and a decrease in staff morale and an increase in burnout. …