The strict coding criteria for O0110M1, Isolation or quarantine for active infectious disease, requires precise documentation to support the MDS. AAPACN’s new Documentation Template: Isolation for Active Infectious Disease tool can help nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) educate nurses on the key areas of required documentation for residents in isolation. Want …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the final version of the RAI User’s Manual, version 1.20.1, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2025. While the draft version has been available for several months, CMS made several additional changes, including a new definition for falls and major injury, …
Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the full Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 will only be completed if the resident responds to the gateway PHQ-2 questions in a certain way. The Patient Health Questionnaire Completion Determination chart clarifies when to stop the PHQ after the PHQ-2, how to code the Total Severity Score, …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released unexpected changes in the final RAI User’s Manual, version 1.20.1, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2025. The AAPACN MDS Changes At-a-Glance tool provides a high-level overview and key takeaways from the changes. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual …
The importance of accurate coding of section GG, Functional Abilities, continues to grow as this data is used in care planning, Quality Measures, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final RAI User’s Manual, v1.20.1, in late August. It includes several clarifications for …
The Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) 5-Character HIPPS code can be difficult to decipher. The PDPM HIPPS Code At-a-Glance tool will help nurse assessment coordinators quickly identify the key elements impacting Medicare reimbursement. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for use within …
The MDS Data Specifications V3.10.2 (FINAL) are now available for download. This version reflects changes finalized in the FY 2026 SNF PPS final rule (90 FR 37310). Note that there are some minor changes since DRAFT 3 (below) was posted, including a new edit -4096. Please reference the Item Change and Edit Change …
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 a new way for NACs to test their knowledge – the NAC Competency Evaluation. Additional Resources:
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MDS section R (Health-Related Social Needs) is officially no more. The big news for nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Final Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, released on July 31, 2025, and published on Aug. 4, is …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Rule for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS), addressing several key recommendations submitted by the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN). AAPACN provided detailed input on rate setting, ICD-10 code mapping, …
