Essential tools for the MDS coordinator

Whether you are just beginning your career or are a veteran MDS coordinator, you play a pivotal role in managing the long-term care residents’ care. The MDS coordinator role is vital to:

Families perceive end-of-life care as better in hospice, says new study

According to a study recently published in JAMA, family members reported excellent end-of-life (EOL) care more often for patients who received hospice care for longer than 3 days than those who did not receive hospice care or received three or fewer days.

Increase in off-label use of antipsychotics among dementia residents: A national issue

Antipsychotic medications (APM) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder are increasingly used to treat behavioral symptoms of dementia in nursing homes, according to a systematic review published by BMC Geriatrics and corroborated by a report published in 2015 by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The effectiveness of this off-label administration of APMs is not supported by strong evidence and increases the risk for adverse health effects, including:

Registration deadline for 2nd Annual AHC/NCAL Quality Summit ends Friday, SNF Open Door Forum postponed

Long-term care and post-acute care providers still have time to register for the 2nd Annual AHC/NCAL Quality Summit, happening March 6-8 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The advance registration deadline ends this Friday, February 3.

New study finds that MA beneficiaries use home health less

A new study by the American Journal of Managed Care finds that Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries use home health less often than fee-for-service (FFS) counterparts.

Looking for top long-term care news from 2016?

It’s been a busy year. Catch up on things you missed, track that PPS Alert for Long-Term Care article you’d like to have on hand, or start the year off with expert advice by perusing our 2016 story index. Not a PPS Alert subscriber? Sign up today to receive the industry’s leading resource devoted to navigating long-term care professionals through the MDS and PPS processes and providing practical tips and how-to guidance from our team of long-term care experts to help your facility remain complaint and quality-focused.

Upcoming CMS Events

Wednesday, February 8, 2:00pm-3:00pm ET - The next Home Health, Hospice and DME Open Door Forum

Wednesday, February 9, 1:00pm-2:30pm ET - CMS National Training Program Learning Series Webinar, explaining Medicare enrollment periods

Tuesday, February 21, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET - Understanding and Promoting the Value of Chronic Care Management Services Call

Thursday, February 23, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET - Looking Ahead: The IMPACT Act in 2017 Call

Thursday, March 23, 2:00pm-3:00pm ET - Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum

Product Spotlight

Medicare Boot Camp®—Long-Term Care Version

HCPro's Medicare Boot Camp®—Long-Term Care Version covers the latest Medicare rules and regulations so that you can help your facility provide quality resident care, document successfully, bill appropriately for services, and prevent payment denials. Medicare Boot Camp—Long-Term Care Version follows a Medicare patient from preadmission through discharge, addressing the function of each department, and uncovering the pitfalls along the way.