RSS FeedMay 29, 2009
SNF Open Door Forum May 28, 2009
May 29, 2009 Most Recent SNF Open Door Forum describes changes to the RUG-III...
During the most recent SNF Open Door Forum, CMS described that the MDS 3.0 will require a new version of the Resource Utilization Groups, RUGs, which will be version four or RUG-IV. There are major changes to this most recent version. The obvious being an additional 13 new categories going from 53 to 66 in all.
The addition of these new cateories also ushers in several other changes such as the Nursing indexes and Therapy indexes are changing. The Nursing indexes are being weighted more heavily in the newest version.
The RUG-IV can viewed and commented on by going to www.cms.hhs.gov/snfpps up to June 30, 2009.
The MDS 3.0 is still on track for final release in October 2009. The RAI Manual has yet to be finalized as well. We will determine if we can find a way to assist, as stakeholders, in editing this most important manual.
On a down note, the FY 2010 will reflect a 3.3% overage in payment in PPS, therefore rates will be adjusted to reflect a budget neutral system. This means that our PPS payments will decrease to ensure the budget neutrality for the year!
The Resident Assessment Protocols, RAPs, are being replaced in the MDS 3.0 by the Care Area Triggers, CATs. These are more reflective of the best practice of using all available ways to treat and ensure our residents recieve the highest level of care. We will research this and add more as able.
Lastly, the Section S or state specific section of the MDS will be maintained in the MDS 3.0, but it will be created by the states to reflect their requirements directly. There will be an area that is accessed by the states to create their own versions of Section S directly in the CMS system.
More to come...