TIP: Consolidated Billing Updates for 2026

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 …

SNF QRP/SNF VBP: CMS Video Offers MDS Data Validation Process Overview

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a recorded presentation which describes the new data validation process. This training will support facilities in understanding the purpose and structure of the data validation process including the notification and submission process, required activities for selected SNFs, and where to …

Consolidated Billing HCPCS Code List Update: 2026 Part A MAC Update

ADD – EFFECTIVE 01/01/2026 Major Category I. B. – Cardiac Catheterization Major Category III. A. – Chemotherapy Major Category III. C. -Radioisotopes and their Administration TERMINATE – EFFECTIVE 01/01/2026 Major Category III. A. – Chemotherapy Major Category III. D. – Customized Prosthetic Devices Downloads From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/skilled-nursing-facility-snf-consolidated-billing/2026-part-mac-update

FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Code Updates Effective April 1, 2026

These files include updates for FY 2026. Use these codes for discharges occurring from April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026, and for patient encounters occurring from April 1, 2026– September 30, 2026.  https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes

Physician Certification Tracker

The AAPACN Physician Certification Tracker tool helps nurse assessment coordinators track physician certification due dates by calculating required timeframes based on user-entered data and displaying upcoming and overdue certifications to support compliance. The accuracy of the tool depends on the accuracy of the information entered, so timely and precise data …

SNF ABN: When to Use This Medicare Beneficiary Notice and Why

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 with AAPACN discuss when and why the SNF Advanced Beneficiary Notice should be used.

Q&A: If a resident on Medicare Part A admits and discharges to home on the same day, can we bill Medicare for that day?

Question: If a resident on Medicare Part A admits and discharges to home on the same day, can we bill Medicare for that day? Answer from Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, ICC, IPCO: If a Medicare resident discharges to a non-Medicare participating location (home, expires) the same day …

Simplifying the SNF ABN: Helping Residents Understand Their Options

When a resident’s Medicare Part A skilled stay ends, two types of resident notification processes may be required under the Beneficiary Notices Initiative: the standard denial process and the expedited appeal process. In the standard appeal process, the Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF ABN) is an …

Q&A: Can we still use dementia as a primary diagnosis for our long-term residents?

Question: Can we still use dementia as a primary diagnosis for our long-term residents? Our facility was recently told we can no longer use the dementia diagnosis (F03.90) although it maps to medical management? Answer from Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC: If there is no known cause of …