More Info on ICD-10 Transition

• CMS Sponsored ICD-10 Teleconferences
• Procedure Coding System Files
• American Health Information Management Association: ICD-TEN (Top Emerging News)

Will music improve MDS 3.0 scores?

Interesting guest column in McKnight on the value of music therapy can be found here.

Helpful Material on the ICD-10 Transition

On January 1, 2012, standards for electronic health care transactions change from Version 4010/4010A1 to Version 5010. These electronic health care transactions include functions like claims, eligibility inquiries, and remittance advices.  Unlike the current Version 4010/4010A1, Version 5010 accommodates the ICD-10 codes, and must be in place first before the changeover to ICD-10. The Version 5010 change occurs well before the ICD-10 implementation date to allow adequate Version 5010 testing and implementation time.

State Medicaid programs can extend financial protections to same-sex spouses in nursing homes

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has sent a letter o state Medicaid programs clarifying the ability to offer same-sex couples the same protections opposite-sex couples receive when one partner needs facility-based long-term care."  Read the rest of the McKnight's article here."

Training Materials from CMS

MDS 3.0 Training Materials from CMS can be found here.

Medicare Preventative Services

Helpful chart re: Medicare Preventative Services can be found here.

Carlyle plans $500 million IPO for HCR ManorCare

Read the article from McKnight's here.

Great Article!

Great article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the changing demographics of residents in skilled nursing facilities: Nursing homes facing younger challenges.  Interesting fact from the article: The number of under-65 residents in nursing facilities has risen steadily from 11.7% in 2002 to 14.9% in 2010.