CMS Posts Updated Draft MDS 3.0 Item Sets

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently posted an updated version of the draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets v1.20.1v3 and draft Item Matrix v1.20.1v3. These are located in the Downloads section on CMS’ Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. Of note, CMS removed Section R from these documents.
This version of the MDS item sets does not include items R0310. Living Situation, R0320. Food, R0330. Utilities. It also replaces item R0340. Transportation with item A1255. Transportation.
The final MDS item sets v1.20.1 will be posted in late summer, depending on the decisions finalized in rulemaking. The SNF PPS Proposed Rule is available here​.

Monitoring Resident-Owned Electronics for Compliance

Long term care facilities have numerous responsibilities when it comes to building components, systems, and equipment. Among these, ensuring the safety of resident-owned electronics is an important consideration. NFPA 99 (The Health Care Facilities Code®) provides clear guidelines for patient care-related electrical equipment (PCREE), but it also includes provisions for visually inspecting all nonpatient care-related electrical devices, including those owned by residents. This encompasses everyday items such as cell phones, chargers, tablets, radios, and alarm clocks, helping maintain a safe environment for everyone.
A comprehensive policy that addresses the inspection of resident owned electronics will include inspection frequency, who conducts the inspection, and inspection criteria. NFPA 99 does not specify any of these items, nor does it include a specific inspection checklist. Some general best practices include inspecting for issues such as frayed cords, cracked casings, damaged plugs, and loose wires. The inspection is essentially focused on identifying any items indicative of an unsafe condition.
Electronics that do not have grounding conductors (three prong plug) are generally not permitted in resident areas unless they are double insulated. A device that is double insulated is identified by a double square symbol on the device itself, as seen in the images below.
Double Insulated.png
Plug.png           Timex.png
In addition to having a policy, facilities should have a mechanism to inform residents, families, and responsible parties of the process for inspecting such items. While a visual inspection most commonly occurs at the time of resident admission, electronics that are introduced to the facility at other times must also go through the inspection process. Establishing that expectation and clarifying the process at the time of admission can help maintain compliance thereafter.
One newer area to monitor is the introduction of items that include integrated charging ports and/or electrical outlets. These are becoming more common in items such as table lamps and even lounge chairs. Having an integrated USB charger should not be an issue since USB operates under low voltage. However, where there is an integrated traditional electrical outlet, it could be a concern. A surveyor could interpret the device to be similar to a power strip which could mean the requirements for relocatable power taps apply.  These would be restrictive and likely limit the use of such items in a resident room or care area.
Ensuring life safety compliance is an important responsibility, and while it can be complex, having the right resources makes the process more manageable. A great starting point is obtaining a copy of the applicable codes and standards. The 2012 editions of both NFPA 101 and NFPA 99, along with all referenced codes and standards, are available for access and purchase at the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) website (www.nfpa.org). For additional support from AHCA/NCAL, please reach out via email at emergencyprep@ahca.org.

Gero Nurse Prep Sale Ends Soon!

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through May 15, 2025, with promo code GROWRNS (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 found compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:
  • Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
  • Fewer deficiencies on average
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
  • More stars — twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)
Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.
Gero Nurse Prep makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, Gero Nurse Prep delivers smarter RNs who are better prepared to deliver competent geriatric nursing care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings. Both two-year RNs and BSNs can take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete Gero Nurse Prep and earn 30 quality nursing contact hours – enough to meet the criteria for taking the ANCC certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to sit for the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam ($395 separate fee paid to ANCC) have a pass rate of 94% on their first try. RNs who pass the ANCC exam can then use the GERO-BC™ credential after their RN credential.
Watch this video or visit the website at geronurseprep.com​ to learn more. And don’t forget to use the GROWRNS promo code when registering by May 15, 2025, to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

Gero Nurse Prep for Your RNs + $200 Savings = Better Nursing for Less!

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through May 15, 2025, with promo code GROWRNS (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 found compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:
  • Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
  • Fewer deficiencies on average
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
  • More stars — twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)
Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.
Gero Nurse Prep makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, Gero Nurse Prep delivers smarter RNs who are better prepared to deliver competent geriatric nursing care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings. Both two-year RNs and BSNs can take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete Gero Nurse Prep and earn 30 quality nursing contact hours – enough to meet the criteria for taking the ANCC certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to sit for the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam ($395 separate fee paid to ANCC) have a pass rate of 94% on their first try. RNs who pass the ANCC exam can then use the GERO-BC™ credential after their RN credential.
Watch this video or visit the website at geronurseprep.com​ to learn more. And don’t forget to use the GROWRNS promo code when registering by May 15, 2025, to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

Reminder of Upcoming Annual HCP Influenza Vaccination Data Reporting Deadline

The deadline for nursing homes to report health care personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination coverage in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Health Safety Network (NHSN) is fast approaching.

This reporting is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the submission deadline is May 15, 2025. Failure to report complete data in NHSN by 11:59pm on May 15th for the SNF QRP will result in a 2% reduction in the nursing home’s annual Medicare reimbursement rates. 
The reporting period for the 2024-2025 influenza season is from October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. Facilities are only required to submit one report that covers the entire reporting period by May 15, 2025
Facilities are strongly advised not to wait until the deadline to report. Submitters are recommended to take a screen shot of submission verification in the event of a notice of noncompliance. Training materials are available on the NHSN website.
If your facility is having difficulty accessing the NHSN Healthcare Personnel Safety (HPS) Component to submit this data, email NHSN@cdc.gov with “HCP Flu Summary” in the subject line and specify that you are a LTC facility.
Questions on CMS SNF QRP requirements can be sent to SNFQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.
AHCA has several resources available to assist with NHSN reporting, including the NHSN Tip Sheet and
Questions regarding the above resources may be sent to regulatory@ahca.org.

National Dementia Workforce Study Surveys Underway

​You can make a difference in how we understand the health care workforce who cares for people living with dementia across the United States.

The National Dementia Workforce Study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging of the NIH, is conducting surveys of community clinicians, and staff and administrators in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home care agencies.
The key purpose of this national study is to learn more about the workforce, including your needs and how to better support you. To do that, NDWS needs your help. Surveys are currently underway and will continue annually through 2028.
We encourage you to participate if you are invited. Help NDWS understand the challenges you face and ultimately contribute to research that will help health care organizations, clinicians, and workers improve retention, target training, and improve outcomes.
NDWS is led by investigators at the University of Michigan, the University of California, San Francisco, and other university and non-profit partners. The Alzheimer’s Association is also collaborating and welcomes your participation. Learn more at www.ndws.org/participant-center​.

RNs + Gero Nurse Prep = Smarter Nurses and Better Outcomes

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through May 15, 2025, with promo code GROWRNS (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 found compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:
  • Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
  • Fewer deficiencies on average
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
  • More stars — twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)
Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.
Gero Nurse Prep makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, Gero Nurse Prep delivers smarter RNs who are better prepared to deliver competent geriatric nursing care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings. Both two-year RNs and BSNs can take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete Gero Nurse Prep and earn 30 quality nursing contact hours – enough to meet the criteria for taking the ANCC certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to sit for the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam ($395 separate fee paid to ANCC) have a pass rate of 94% on their first try. RNs who pass the ANCC exam can then use the GERO-BC™ credential after their RN credential.
Watch this video or visit the website at geronurseprep.com​ to learn more. And don’t forget to use the GROWRNS promo code when registering by May 15, 2025, to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

Don’t Miss HealthCap’s Free Restorative Nursing Webinar Series

Restorative nursing is essential for enhancing residents’ quality of life, promoting independence, and improving overall health outcomes. When staff is trained in restorative techniques, communities can better support residents in overcoming daily physical, communicative, and functional challenges, helping them lead fuller, more meaningful lives.

HealthCap® is offering a free six-week on-demand engaging webinar series specifically crafted to provide practical tools and proven strategies that strengthen your restorative care approach. A new module will be offered every Tuesday with each on-demand webinar designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to deliver quality restorative nursing care.
For more information and to register for each free module, click on the links below:
Restorative Nursing – Dining Program                           Opened April 1
Restorative Nursing – Bowel and Bladder​                      Opens April 8
Restorative Nursing – Bathing and Hygiene                   Opens April 15
Restorative Nursing – Range of Motion                          Opens April 22
Attendees can earn between 0.5 to 1.25 ANCC or NAB credits depending on the module.
​AHCA/NCAL has embraced HealthCap​ for 16 years as a premier provider of liability insurance that is solely dedicated to serving senior care communities. HealthCap clients have the fewest liability claims in the industry, and HealthCap® settles claims below the industry average.​

Reminder: ICD-10-CM Coding Updates for April 1, 2025

In February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted the updated ICD-10-CM code files to address revisions to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and other typographical errors. These updates are effective April 1, 2025. There are no new ICD-10-CM codes effective April 1, 2025.
While there are no new codes, there is a significant update to the guidelines for coding COVID-19. The guidelines are a set of rules that have been developed to accompany and complement the official conventions and instructions provided within the ICD-10-CM itself. Adherence to these guidelines when assigning ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes is required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The following changes are noted in the guidelines for coding confirmed cases of COVID-19, effective April 1, 2025:
  • Code only a confirmed diagnosis of the COVID-19 (U07.1) as documented by the provider (physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner legally accountable for establishing the patient’s diagnosis). The current guidance that documentation of a positive test alone represents a confirmed diagnosis will no longer be in effect beginning April 1.
  • For asymptomatic residents who test positive for COVID-19, query the medical provider as to whether the resident has COVID-19. The guidance notes that false positives are possible, and it is the medical provider’s responsibility to confirm and document a diagnosis.
This will result in a significant change for which residents will have the code U07.1 added to their medical records beginning April 1, 2025. These changes, however, do not impact NHSN reporting at this time. We will continue to monitor for any changes to NHSN reporting in the future and will provide updates if and when appropriate.
Please send any questions to regulatory@ahca.org​.