Know the Rules, Win the Fight: Inside SNF Medicare Appeals

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 Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the Medicare appeals process in skilled nursing facilities. Additional Resources:

TIP: CMS Released Updated Draft MDS Item Sets for Oct. 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the updated draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.20.1v3-Section and updated Matrix. The newly added section R has been removed with this update. CMS noted that this version of the MDS v1.20.1 item sets (v3) does not …

SNF VBP Reminder: Performance-Period MDS Data Collection Is Now Ongoing

In the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not reveal any firm proposals for new quality measures (QMs). However, CMS does serve up a simple reminder for nurse …

AAPACN Responds: FY 2026 SNF PPS Proposed Rule

Every spring, the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) anticipates the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) proposed rule. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a 60-day comment period. After a review of the comments, the Final Rule is published in late summer. Historically, …

Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care – June 26, 2025

Members and Non-members: FreeContinuing Education: 1 CE hourRecording Date: June 26, 2025 Duration: 60 minutesSpeakers: Joan N. Hebden, MS, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, and Marko Predic, MS, CIC, FAPIC Outbreaks may represent a single case of a disease (e.g., legionella) or an increase in the occurrence of a particular illness above what is expected …

AAPACN CEO Highlights Growth and Opportunities

The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) CEO and President, Tracey Moorhead, took the stage at the AAPACN 2025 Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, to deliver the annual CEO address to a packed room of dedicated post-acute care professionals. In her opening remarks, Moorhead welcomed attendees to the city of …

SNF QRP Quick Reference Guide

An updated Quick Reference Guide is now available. The Quick Reference Guide provides high-level information on the SNF Quality Reporting Program, including frequently asked questions and helpful links. PAC-SNF-QuickReferenceGuide-20250508 (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/snf-quality-reporting-program/submission-deadlines

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Sequencing

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the sequencing of ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding. Additional Resources: AAPACN Articles:  ​​​​​​​AAPACN Education: ​​​​​​​AAPACN Tool:

Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM: Diagnosis Sequencing Guidelines

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code assignment continues to be a bit of an enigma in the long-term care setting. Members regularly ask questions about ICD-10-CM coding in AAPACN’s online communities, as well as in post-education surveys, often confused about how to order the codes. …

Leading with Learning: How National Health Care Associates Strengthens Teams and Transforms Care with AAPACN Organizational Membership

In a complex care environment where workforce development and regulatory demands are constantly evolving, National Health Care Associates is setting a new standard. With a sharp focus on equipping staff at every level with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead, they’ve turned AAPACN Organizational Membership into more than a …