MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Assessment Selection Methods 

The MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Assessment Selection Methods tool simplifies the assessment selection logic used for MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QMs) in nursing facilities. The assessment selection logic is used to identify which assessments are used in the measure calculation. For detailed measure specifications, refer to the corresponding tables in …

PDPM Overview for Supporting SNF Staff

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) in October 2019 for residents receiving Medicare Part A coverage in the skilled nursing facility (SNF). PDPM replaced the previous legacy payment model, the Resource Utilization Group (RUG-IV) system, still used by some state Medicaid agencies …

Admission Process Best Practices: How to Create a Smooth Resident Transition to LTPAC Settings

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the admission process and ways to ease the resident’s transition into long-term and post-acute care settings.

Sepsis Assessment and Reporting: Tips for Nursing Staff

Nurses play a key role in the early identification and treatment of sepsis, assessing the resident and reporting to the physician or nonphysician practitioner (NPP), as well as potentially managing residents with sepsis in-house in some cases. Nurse leaders can take the following steps to help nursing staff effectively assess …

The “Golden Hour” of Admission

For both residents and their loved ones, admission into a post-acute care facility can be an overwhelming experience. In addition to the condition that brought residents to the facility, the transition itself involves changing environment, acclimating to new routines, and entrusting one’s care to a team of unfamiliar people. Amid …

October 2025 MDS Draft Item Sets: The SDOH Should Drive the NAC’s Planning

On Oct. 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the draft MDS version 1.20.1 item sets and item matrix for implementation on Oct. 1, 2025. The change history included with the item sets indicates planned changes to sections A (Identification Information), B (Hearing, Speech, and Vision), …

January 2025 Five-Star Unfreeze: What to Expect   

In this podcast, 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 with AAPACN, discuss what to expect this January when Five-Star unfreezes several quality measures.

NOMNC and DENC: New Forms Must Be Used Starting Jan. 1, 2025; Different Start Date for DENC Only for Medicare Advantage

FFS & MA NOMNC/DENC What’s New 11/18/2024: New NOMNC and DENC for Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved a revised Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC / CMS-10123) and Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage (DENC / CMS-10124). Please note the updated NOMNC and DENC …

CMS Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Website

Improving Care Through Increased Staffing Nursing home staffing has a significant impact on the quality of care that residents receive. Feedback from both nursing home staff and residents consistently highlights staffing as their primary concern. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is launching a national Nursing …