The Basics of CoreQ with Lindsay Schwartz

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Lindsay Schwartz, Ph.D., FGSA, Founder and Principal of Workforce & Quality Innovations, discuss what CoreQ is, why satisfaction data collection is important, and how frequently this data should be …

Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Audit Tool

The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) requires PBJ data to be submitted at least quarterly. It is imperative that this data is accurate as it is publicly reported and impacts the Five Star rating, is included in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program for fiscal …

A Conversation on Two Technical Expert Panels and the Future Unified Payment Model with Renee Kinder

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Renee Kinder, MS, CCC-SLP, RAC-CT, executive vice president of clinical services with AAPACN Diamond partner, Broad River Rehab, share information about their participation on two technical expert panels and …

SNF VBP Online Resources

CMS has an online home for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) program that offers multiple resources explaining how the program works. Landing page: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/SNF-VBP/SNF-VBP-Page.html Spotlights & Announcements Scoring Methodology & Payment Adjustment Confidential Feedback Reporting & Review and Corrections Extraordinary Circumstance Exception Public Reporting of SNF VBP …

4 Tips for Surviving the Mental Load of the NAC’s Job

The nurse assessment coordinator’s (NAC’s) job is mentally taxing. There is so much to keep track of—assessment reference dates, when to complete an interim payment assessment, how the case-mix adjusted components impact the Patient-Driven Payment Model and reimbursement, how to code every section of the MDS, when to deliver beneficiary …

The Road to Compliance Starts with a Gap Analysis

On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Some are minor technical updates, while others introduce entirely new guidance. Given the enormity of the updates, along with the other challenges facility leaders …

SNF Staffing Crisis: The Risks and Impact of Pulling the NAC to the Floor

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the current staffing crisis in skilled nursing facilities across the country and the potential impact of …

Nurse Leader Fundamentals: An Overview

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss AAPACN’s latest education program for nurse leaders—Nurse Leader Fundamentals.