Tips from AAPACN
Stay up-to-date and informed by reviewing the latest tips from AAPACN. Our experts will keep you updated with the latest news from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other news sources. Want access to all the tips from AAPACN? Learn more about AAPACN and AAPACN membership.
- TIP: CMS Teams Up with SAMHSA to Provide New Behavioral Health Training Resource for Nursing FacilitiesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has teamed up with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a new resource, the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing …
- TIP: CMS Addressed Section GG on Unplanned DischargesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a Questions and Answers document from the Oct. 12, 2023, Skilled Nursing Facility/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum. A question was asked regarding if it was …
- TIP: Respiratory Virus Toolkits Now Available from the CDCThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its website to include new respiratory toolkits. This webpage features toolkits and resources to help prepare for the 2023 respiratory virus season including: This AAPACN …
- TIP: CMS Released Updated Errata DocumentThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released an update to the RAI User’s Manual, MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual (v1.18.11R) Errata (v2). The update, issued on Oct. 20, 2023, provided additional clarification …
- TIP: CDC Adds New Topics to Infection Control Micro-Learning Training SeriesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to expand their Project Firstline infection control training series. This free series includes multiple topics with training resources the DNS can use to educate the nursing …
- TIP: CMS Issued Corrections to the FY 2024 Final Rule and MDS SpecificationsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two important correction notices recently. NOTE: CMS clarified on the Oct. 12, 2023, Skilled Nursing Facility/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum, that assessments that did not allow …
- TIP: Two New Toolkits Released for SNFs: AHCA Vaccine Toolkit and CDC Viral Respiratory Pathogens ToolkitThe American Health Care Association (AHCA) has released a new free resource to assist providers with tools and information to encourage vaccinations among residents and staff. The toolkit includes: Find these, plus additional resources on …
- TIP: CMS Updated MDS 3.0 Quality Measure and Five-Star ManualsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updates to the MDS 3.0 Quality Measures User’s Manual (v.16.0) and the Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical User’s Guide (September 2023). Many of …
- TIP: CMS Updates Nursing Home Care Compare Staffing and Quality MeasuresIn a Quality, Safety, and Oversight (QSO) memo released on Sept. 20, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stated they will update the staffing level case-mix adjustment methodology and replace some of …
- TIP: CMS Updates SLP-Related Comorbidities, Removing All Parkinson’s Disease CodesOn Sept. 18, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added a note within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 PDPM ICD-10 Mapping file that effectively removed several diagnosis codes from impacting the Speech-Language …
- TIP: CDC to Change the NHSN Definition of “Up to Date”The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will change the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definition of “up to date” for reporting weeks beginning on Sept. 25, 2023, to align with new (pending) ACIP …
- TIP: CMS Clarified Section GG Documentation Requirement In late August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the post-event question and answer (Q&A) document from the SNF MDS 3.0 RAI v1.18.11 Guidance Training Program available in the Downloads section of …
- TIP: CDC Releases New Enhanced Barrier Precautions ResourcesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new resources on enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs). EBPs are recommended by the CDC to reduce the risk of transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). These …
- TIP: CMS Updates the SNF VBP Performance Score Report User GuideThe August 2023 Performance Score Reports for the FY 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now available for download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Instructions to access …
- TIP: CMS Updates Exclusion Criteria for Administrator Turnover Data in Payroll-Based JournalThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added administrator exclusion criteria to the PBJ public use files. The updated criteria excludes administrator data if a nursing home reports five or more administrators on four …
- TIP: CMS Updated the Five-Star Administrator Turnover Exclusion CriteriaEffective with the July 2023 Five-Star refresh, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the nursing-home level exclusion criteria on an erroneously high number of administrators applied to the administrator turnover measure. Previously, …
- TIP: Facilities Must Update ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes by Oct. 1, 2023The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the revised ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for fiscal year 2024, which will become effective Oct. 1, 2023. Facility staff will need to review diagnosis codes for residents …
- TIP: CMS Releases New Quality in Focus SeriesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new Quality in Focus Series. The series includes a number of 10–15-minute videos that aim to reduce the deficiencies most commonly cited during survey. …
- TIP: OIG Releases New Adverse Events ToolkitsThe Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released two toolkits to assist facilities in identifying and measuring adverse events: The Medical Record Review Methodology toolkit and the Clinical Guidance for Identifying Harm toolkit. The Medical Record …
- TIP: Medicare Advantage PPS Assessments Are Not Submitted to iQIESThe RAI User’s Manual clarifies that PPS assessments that are completed for the purpose of insurance payment, such as with a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, are not CMS required assessments and are not to be …
- TIP: CMS Updates Critical Element PathwaysThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised two Critical Element Pathways on June 5, 2023: Medication Storage and Infection Control. The CMS Critical Element Pathways are used by surveyors to determine compliance during …
- TIP: The COVID-19 PHE Ended – Tools and ResourcesThe end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, has marked the end of many waivers, including the 3-day qualifying hospital stay and benefit period waivers. For many new nurse assessment …
- TIP: CMS Releases Final Rule Lifting Vaccine Requirements for Healthcare PersonnelThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on May 31, 2023, withdrawing the federal requirement of COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare personnel (HCP). Although the requirement is being lifted, CMS continues …
- TIP: New ABN Form Must Be Used by June 30, 2023In April 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) form, CMS-R-131. This ABN form is used when Medicare Part B services end and a beneficiary notice …
- TIP: CMS Changes Two COVID-19-Related QSO MemosThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made changes to two COVID-19-related QSO memos recently. QSO-20-38-NH, which provided guidance related to COVID-19 testing, expired on May 11, 2023, with the end of the COVID-19 …
- TIP: SNFs Still Must Use Condition Code DR After the COVID-19 PHE EndsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarified on a recent MLN Connects newsletter that skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) must continue to use the condition code DR (disaster related) on Medicare Part A claims …
- TIP: CMS Released Updated Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 PHEThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new memo outlining the changes that will occur with the ending of the public health emergency (PHE) on May 12, 2023. Areas include: AAPACN recommends …
- TIP: CMS Released Updated FAQ on the End of the COVID-19 PHEIn late April, CMS updated the resource “Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.” This document addresses key questions regarding billing for vaccines, Medicare coverage, the 3-day …
- TIP: CMS Releases Optional State Assessment (OSA) Item Set and ManualOn April 24, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the Optional State Assessment (OSA) Item Set, OSA Manual, and OSA Change History table in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set …
- TIP: CMS Clarified End of COVID-19 Waivers Impact on 30-Day Transfer RuleAAPACN received clarifying information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and how residents covered under Medicare Part A using the 3-day …
- TIP: CMS 2023 Quality Conference in MayThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a free virtual conference May 1-3, 2023. The conference is focused on improving quality, equity, and innovation. Hear leaders speak on topics such as: Registration …
- TIP: New Enhanced Enforcement Actions from CMS for Infection Control DeficienciesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-10-NH on March 30, 2023, listing new enhanced enforcements for facilities receiving deficiencies in F880 and F887. These new enforcements include remedies such as directed plans …
- TIP: The End of the COVID-19 PHE Impact on a Skilled StayOn March 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum. During the call, a CMS official clarified the answer to a question …
- TIP: Telligen QI Connect Releases a Facilitators Guide to Root Cause Analysis (RCA)The Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), Telligen QI Connect, has developed a new facilitators guide to assist with root cause analysis (RCA). This guide outlines the process to conduct an RCA including steps to prepare and …
- TIP: CMS Answers iQIES Question on Change in OwnershipThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials answered a question regarding the ability to submit MDS assessments in the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) if a change in ownership occurs after …
- TIP: COVID-19 PHE Ends on May 11, 2023Due to the trends of decreasing COVID-19 daily reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. The conclusion …
- TIP: CMS Announces MDS Submission Transition to iQIES April 2023CMS announced that the transition of MDS assessment submission and reporting to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) will occur on Monday, April 17, 2023. Nursing facilities currently use the QIES Assessment Submission …
- TIP: CMS Outlines How the End of the COVID-19 PHE Will Impact Medicare BeneficiariesThe Biden Administration recently announced the end of national COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declarations and extensions, which will occur on May 11, 2023. On page 125 of the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service …
- TIP: CDC Updates NHSN HCP and Resident COVID-19 Vaccination Module DocumentationThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated the instructions for reporting person-level vaccination data via the Person-Level Vaccination Forms. Providers who are required to submit their data to the Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination …
- TIP: CDC Releases New Webinar Recording and Tools Regarding Enhanced Barrier PrecautionsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new resources to assist providers with the implementation of enhanced barrier precautions. These resources include the continuing education (CE) webinar recording and slides from Nov. …
- TIP: BFCC-QIO’s Updated Notification Process for New Appeals Started January 17Starting on Jan. 17, 2023, post-acute care facilities and Medicare health plans will no longer receive phone calls for appeal notifications. The initial notification, medical record requests, and case outcomes for post-acute care facilities and …
- TIP: CMS Releases QSO Memo with Updates to Care Compare and Quality Measure RatingsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo last week containing updates to Care Compare and Quality Measure ratings. These changes include: CMS will consider a lesser action to the star ratings …
- TIP: Audit for Accurate Schizophrenia Diagnosis CodingCMS recently released a memo stating they will begin conducting an off-site audit of MDS coding of residents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia to ensure accuracy, and based upon the results, the quality measure (QM) …
- TIP: ICD-10 Coding Convention “with”When using the Alphabetical Index in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, generally the main terms and subterms are alphabetical. However, when the word “with” is immediately after a main term or subterm, …
- TIP: CMS Releases Draft Minimum Data Set 3.0 Item SetsThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated draft of the new MDS 3.0 Item Sets on Dec. 23, 2022. This newest draft includes changes to the following: Because there are multiple …
- TIP: CDC’s Core Practices Now Available on Infection Control WebpageThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Core Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Safe Healthcare Delivery in All Settings, also known as Core Practices, are now available on CDC’s Infection Control webpage. These …
- TIP: OBRA Scheduling Tools Updated for 2023AAPACN offers two great tools to assist nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) in scheduling OBRA assessments:• The Static OBRA Scheduling Tool is a 4-page tool that counts out day 92 for every calendar day – know when that …
- TIP: COVID-19 Vaccination and Therapeutics Toolkit Now AvailableThe Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) has developed a new toolkit with their partners. This free toolkit provides resources for clinicians to help them navigate challenging questions. This toolkit includes: For permission …
- TIP: CMS Will Begin Posting Staffing Data on the Care Compare WebsiteWeekend Staffing: The level of total nurse and registered nurse (RN) staffing on weekends provided by each nursing home over a quarter. Staff Turnover: The percent of nursing staff and number of administrators that stopped …
- TIP: New Resource to Improve Healthcare SafetyLucian Leap just released a new book called Making Healthcare Safe. This free, downloadable book discusses ways a skilled nursing facility can implement a culture of safety by changing processes, working conditions, and communication in …
- TIP: Learning Timeline for AAPACN Education and ResourcesAre you considering advancing your career and looking to gain knowledge to be successful in your next role? Or are you already in the position you love but looking to improve your knowledge for additional …
- TIP: AAPACN Curriculum Development Specialist, Denise Winzeler, Contributed to CDC White Paper with LTC/PAC WorkgroupThe Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) is a federal advisory committee chartered to provide advice and guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Secretary of the Department of …
- TIP: CMS Scheduled Care Compare Refresh with Revised Discharge to Community Measure DataThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discovered an error in the calculations for the Discharge to Community measure and will be updating the Care Compare website with the corrected data on Sept. 29, …
- TIP: AHRQ Toolkit to Improve Antibiotic Use in Long-Term CareThe Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a toolkit to assist facilities with antibiotic stewardship. This toolkit focuses on three critical areas: Developing and improving a facility’s antibiotic stewardship program Creating a …
- TIP: AAPACN 2020 Conference – New Dates and FormatThe AAPACN 2020 Conference has been rescheduled for June 3-5, 2020, and will be held virtually. Learn more. If you registered for the ICD-10 or RAC-CT Recertification preconference workshop, they will proceed virtually with live …
- TIP: Claims Must Use New Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MDIs) Starting Jan. 1, 2020CMS announced in a Medicare Learning Network newsletter that if the facility does not use the Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) on claims after Jan. 1, 2020, rejection codes will be received: Electronic claims reject codes: …