FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Code Updates and Coding Guidelines for Oct. 1, 2025 From CMS/CDC

CDC announces new ICD-10-CM codes effective October 1, 2025. The October 1, 2025 diagnosis code update files are now available. Use these files for discharges occurring from October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026, and for patient encounters occurring from October 1, 2025 -September 30, 2026. The files in the 2026 …

Is Your Facility Ready for Respiratory Illness Season?

In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss what to do to prepare for respiratory illness season. 

TIP: CMS Expires or Revises Multiple COVID-19 Waivers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently expired or revised multiple waivers and QSO memos related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are included: This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for use within their facility only. AAPACN facility …

Post-Fall Intervention Planning Guide

After a resident falls, staff need to identify appropriate, resident-specific interventions that can help ensure a fall does not reoccur. AAPACN’s Post-Fall Intervention Planning Guide is designed to promote this process through an analysis of risk factors and ensure consistent implementation of evidence-based practices. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. …

Q&A: When should I set an assessment reference date (ARD) for a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) after a resident elected hospice?

Question: When should I set an assessment reference date (ARD) for a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) after a resident elected hospice? Answer from Scott Heichel RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, ICC, IPCO: The completion date for the SCSA is the “determination date +14 days.” The ARD can be …

Q&A: I know that McGeer criteria must be met when coding a UTI that develops in-house during the SNF stay, but what is required when a resident is transferred to the hospital and returns to the SNF with a documented UTI diagnosis (e.g., listed on the discharge summary and on antibiotics)?

Question: I know that McGeer criteria must be met when coding a UTI that develops in-house during the SNF stay, but what is required when a resident is transferred to the hospital and returns to the SNF with a documented UTI diagnosis (e.g., listed on the discharge summary and on …

Q&A: The Five-Star Preview Report for July 2025 still shows the standard survey from three years ago. I thought the third survey would no longer be used?

Question: The Five-Star Preview Report for July 2025 still shows the standard survey from three years ago. I thought the third survey would no longer be used? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: CMS has stated that the third survey would be shown on the Care Compare …

2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report Highlights

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss key findings from the 2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report.  Additional Resources: Nurse Assessment Coordinator …

Nurse Assessment Coordinator FTE Calculator Tool

AAPACN has re-released the Nurse Assessment Coordinator (NAC) FTE Calculator for SNF leaders to estimate the time needed to complete assessments as well as project how many hours the NAC needs for meetings and other duties. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one …