On May 15, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that registration is now open for a virtual training program they are offering that provides instruction on the updated guidance for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) v1.18.11 Manual and Item Set.
According to CMS, the training is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure SNF providers have access to the educational materials necessary to understand and comply with the guidance changes. This guidance will affect reporting requirements associated with the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) that will go into effect on October 1, 2023. A major focus of the training will be on the cross-setting implementation of the standardized patient assessment data elements to ensure more consistent reporting and evaluation across post-acute care settings.
Part 1 of the training program consists of pre-recorded training webinars that deliver foundational knowledge to assist in learning the new and/or revised items and associated guidance. A supplemental Capstone Case Study is also available to give providers additional practice in coding the new and/or revised items. These videos are intended to be viewed in advance of the Part 2 live event and are available now on CMS YouTube.
Part 2 includes live, virtual workshop sessions that provide practice coding scenarios on select data elements covered in the Part 1 training webinars. These live sessions will take place on June 21st between 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET. Registration is open and can be completed online through Zoom.
Additional training resources are located within a ZIP file in the Downloads section of the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training page. These resources include an acronym list, Action Plan worksheet, Case Study documents, resource guide, and PDF versions of the training webinars.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Nursing facilities must ensure that they understand and comply with the reporting requirements associated with the SNF QRP that will go into effect on October 1, 2023, and that all appropriate staff have access to the most current information on how to complete the Minimum Data Set (MDS) in advance of the new guidance becoming effective. Registration for the live training sessions should be completed as soon as possible, and the videos on CMS YouTube should be viewed before the live sessions take place on June 21.
Discussion Points
- Review your policies and procedures for SNF MDS 3.0 RAI v1.18.11 to ensure they have been updated with the latest guidelines.
- Train appropriate staff on the updated MDS completion guidance and new reporting requirements. All staff completing any sections of the MDS, or documenting resident information used by these individuals, should receive training in content expectations and new definitions and MDS requirements. Provide the most current RAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) Manuals as required reference tools for this effort. In addition to the CMS training and resource materials, information is available in the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP, F-tags 636 – Comprehensive Assessments and Timing, 641 – Accuracy of Assessments, and 642 – Coordination at this link: SOM – Appendix PP (cms.gov). Document that this training occurred and file the signed document in each employee’s education file.
- Audit to ensure registration for the live sessions has been completed, and that appropriate staff have viewed the videos and practiced coding the new and/or revised items. Ensure that staff are using the most current RAI User’s Manual to guide their MDS completion to ensure accuracy of all submissions.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, LLC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
