The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new MDS coding guidance for skilled nursing facilities for the upcoming flu season.
New role for nursing home compliance officers: documenting care
Apr 22, 2008
Because new Medicare reimbursement policies are focusing on quality of care at nursing homes, compliance officers will have a greater role in ensuring accurate documentation of care, one medical official...
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
I couldn’t live without … COMS Interactive nursing assessments and data monitoring
Mar 02, 2013
Comprehensive nursing assessments and data monitoring tools from COMS Interactive provide critical help to the CommuniCare Family of Companies, according to Chief Medical Officer Matthew Wayne, M.D.
Capturing acuity: How MDS accuracy has a critical impact on Medicare/Medicaid payment systems
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 20, 2012
There’s a familiar saying in the industry that “If it’s not documented, then it’s not done.” But what if it is documented, but just not documented correctly?
Benefiting from a selection tool for EHRs
By
Elizabeth Newman
Aug 27, 2014
There are many parts of attending annual big conferences that I love, from seeing old industry friends to attending good sessions. But I also, not so secretly, love the exhibit halls — for several reasons.
MDS insight found lacking
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2014
Long-term care staffers’ understanding of the Minimum Data Set and its Quality Indicators is “mediocre at best,” according to recent survey results. Lack of exposure and involvement are...
Putting quality to the test
By
John O'Connor
Mar 31, 2011
When it comes to embracing quality, long-term care operators are making great strides. Most seem to realize that many of the old ways of getting the job done don’t cut it anymore.
Staff understanding of MDS Quality Indicators is ‘mediocre at best,’ study finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 04, 2014
Frontline staff in long-term care facilities generally do not have a firm grasp on Minimum Data Set Quality Indicators, largely due to a lack of involvement with the MDS, according to a recently published...
Ask the payment expert … about MDS changes and payment
By
Patricia Boyer
Dec 01, 2013
With all the changes to the MDS on Oct. 1, 2013, how will payment be affected?