New CMS MDS Training video is now posted to YouTube

From the SNF ODF Website (See Resources on my website):

‘Discharge Assessments and the Use of Dashes’ video is activated on the DHHS YouTube site;  Access to this video is available on the MDS 3.0 Training page  in the Related Links section or at:  http://youtu.be/Qkn22jv2HSY. Discharge Assessments and the Use of Dashes are addressed in our new MDS 3.0 Provider Update Training Series. This training series is the first web-based training offered in 2013 to providers addressing post-acute care topics. Video No. 1 covers MDS 3.0 updates for the Nursing Home setting. It includes a CMS Introduction, a panel presentation explaining what the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual and the MDS 3.0 Assessment Instrument are, and includes two training topics. The first training topic focuses on our relatively new discharge assessments, and the second topic explains how to properly code with dashes. 

From Judy:  This is a 30 minute video, the first 11 minutes cover general intro comments about what the MDS is.   While this portion is two speakers reading from a teleprompter,  the first portion is a great intro to brand new LTC folks about what the RAI process is.  

Then they cover two topics:  Discharge assessments  and Dashes. This is not a video on 'the use of dashes on a discharge assessment.  They cover the two separately.    I found it helpful to go to the YouTube link, open the 'transcript" button, which allows me to jump around in the video by clicking on specific parts of the transcript.

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New Draft of the Oct 1,2013 MDS forms posted

MDS 3.0 Technical Information

What's New -

June 03, 2013

A new version (v1.11.1) of the MDS item sets was posted. This version is scheduled to become effective October 1, 2013 in conjunction with the new version of the data specs (v1.13.1). The item sets should also be considered provisional or draft and subject to change until final item sets are published.

MDS 3.0 Item Subsets V1.11.1 for the October 1, 2013 Release [ZIP, 8MB]

From Judy:  This one adds the line from the FY14 Proposed Final Rule  to list distinct calendar days of therapy for the new Rehab Medium and Low rules.  There are other changes that were in the earlier draft, but this is the latest one.  

Virginia Providers: Virginia revises Section Q fax referral form

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) announced on Tuesday this week that the revised MDS 3.0 Section Q Referral Fax Transmittal Notification Tracking form has been uploaded to the DMAS website.  The form, DMAS-P261, and instructions can be located on the resources section of my website.
 
To assist the Nursing Facilities, Local Contact Agencies, and the Transition Coordination Providers with the Section Q referral process, the revised workflow is included with step by step instructions on the completion of the DMAS-P261 form.

A 30-minute Section Q training WebEx has also been uploaded to the DMAS website to provide further guidance for nursing facilities and local contact agencies.  

Contact Amy Burkett, State Section Q Coordinator at 804.786.0568 or via email atamy.burkett@dmas.virginia.gov with any questions about the MDS Section Q process.

2013 Medicare Trust Fund Report released Friday

To read report:  http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/ReportsTrustFunds/Downloads/TR2013.pdf

"The trust fund that finances Medicare's hospital insurance coverage will remain solvent until 2026, two years beyond what was projected in last year's report,"

The Washington Post notes that the trustees "also credit lower costs and use rates in 'most ... service categories — especially skilled nursing facilities' — a development that most economists believe is in part due to the recent recession but also to more fundamental efforts to reduce costs throughout the health care industry."

All RACs now have SNF issues for review posted: In addition to MMR

All four RACs have, since May 2013, added SNF specific issues for review to their "current issues"  list on their websites.  You can find your RAC, then go to the specific website to see the issues,  by clicking:  http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Monitoring-Programs/recovery-audit-program/index.html?redirect=/rac

Or just google  "CMS RAC"  and click on the cms.gov links.