We are just two weeks away from the start of MDS 3.0.  If you haven’t already done so, bookmark this web page where all of the updates will be posted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Included in the new training materials that were posted just this week is the MDS 2.0 to MDS 3.0 Transition Document, September 2010 (Click here to download).

Starting right now, you need to determine how you will deal with your “bridge” Medicare beneficiaries—folks that are admitted into your facilities under their Medicare Part A benefit prior to October 1 who are still covered by Medicare after October 1.  CMS presented the options that a nursing facility may choose to utilize for each client that is receiving Part A services during both the months of September and October 2010 in the form of a spreadsheet.  According to CMS in their September 15, 2010 conference call, everyone should be using that worksheet as their guide.  Go to this link:  RUG-III to RUG-IV transition for the August 24, 2010 audio-conference [ZIP, 16KB] for worksheets for the 5-day, 14-day, 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day MDS assessments.  These spreadsheets are intended to help nursing facilities determine what assessment (i.e., MDS 2.0 vs. MDS 3.0) may to be utilized and when the assessment should be performed in order to receive payment under both RUG III and RUG IV Medicare PPS for a client that is receiving Part A services during both the months of September and October 2010.

Also note that the QIES Technical Support Office posted the jRAVEN software package on their website at https://www.qtso.com/.  (Click the jRAVEN/RAVEN link on the left side of the webpage.)  jRAVEN is the new data entry software, which Nursing Homes and Swing Bed providers may use to collect and maintain the MDS 3.0 assessment, resident and facility data, and create the MDS 3.0 submission files.

If you aren’t comfortable with your knowledge base on any particular areas of the MDS 3.0, here are a few suggestions:

• There are materials/webinars archived at the Department of Health website designed to assist you:  http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/MinnesotaMDS3_0.html.
• In addition, there are CMS YouTube training videos.  Please click on the appropriate YouTube link under "Related Links Outside of CMS" on the CMS Nursing Home Quality Initiatives website.  Additional postings to be added as they are completed.
• You can also visit the "CMS YouTube Channel" at http://www.youtube.com/cmshhsgov.

Patti Cullen, CAE
952.851.2487
pcullen@careproviders.org

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