ABN (Form CMS-R-131) for Part B SNF Services

The ABN, Form CMS-R-131, and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 01/31/2026 will be mandatory on 6/30/23. You may continue to use the ABN form with the expiration date of 6/30/23 until the …

SNF QRP: SNF Discharge Function Score Technical Report

This report presents the Discharge Function Score measure specifications. Section 2 provides an overview of the measure and a high-level summary of the key features of the measure that are described in detail in the remaining sections of the document. Section 3 describes the methodology used to construct the Discharge …

NETEC Long-Term Care Special Pathogens Infection Prevention and Control Workbook Available

The National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC) has released a workbook for “assessing operational elements for special pathogen preparedness, response, and recovery unique to the long-term care setting.” The workbook is designed to help nurse leaders address the following issues, according to a letter from NETEC: Request …

Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) Website: Resources and Technical Assistance

Find resources and technical assistance at https://nursinghomebehavioralhealth.org/ Current resources include: Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities – Frequently Asked Questions DOWNLOAD SAMHSA informational pamphlet about bipolar disorder’s definition, signs/symptoms, types and treatment DOWNLOAD SAMHSA informational pamphlet about schizophrenia’s definition, signs/symptoms and treatment DOWNLOAD APA resource guide provides …

CMS Section GG Training Videos: GG0130A, GG0110, GG0170C, GG0130B, Decision Tree for GG0130/GG0170

Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing a series of short videos to assist providers with coding select Section GG items on the OASIS, IRF-PAI, LTCH CARE Data Set, and the MDS. These videos, ranging from 4-12 …

CDC 2022 Opioid Prescribing Clinical Practice Guideline (11/22)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is releasing updated and expanded recommendations for clinicians providing pain care for adult outpatients with short- and long-term pain. These clinical recommendations, published in the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, will help clinicians work with their patients to ensure …

SNF VBP Online Resources

CMS has an online home for the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) program that offers multiple resources explaining how the program works. Landing page: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/SNF-VBP/SNF-VBP-Page.html Spotlights & Announcements Scoring Methodology & Payment Adjustment Confidential Feedback Reporting & Review and Corrections Extraordinary Circumstance Exception Public Reporting of SNF VBP …

AHRQ Learning Module for Supporting Nursing Home Residents’ Emotional Health (5/22)

AHRQ has released a new module to help frontline nursing home staff support their residents’ emotional health. The video module is designed to be self-paced and provides guidance on how staff can identify signs of depression in their residents and better support their emotional needs. It also provides ideas on …

AHRQ: Incorporating Infection Prevention and Control into an Emergency Preparedness Plan (5/22)

Nursing home leaders can reference this resource to ensure that the facility’s emergency preparedness plan is current and captures an all-hazards approach to meeting the health, safety, and security needs of staff and residents during an emergency or disaster. Resource: Incorporating Infection Prevention and Control into an Emergency Preparedness Plan (PDF, 236 …