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7/17/2013 |
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In This Issue
• New LTCS Books Partnership
• Increasing Facility Reimbursement
• Latest News & Blog Posts
• Featured Author - Debra Collins |
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Long Term Care Solutions Books Partners with Online Education Provider Pedagogy Inc.
Debra Collins RN, RAC-CT, owner of LTCS Books, has partnered with Pedagogy Inc., a national provider of continuing education and training, to expand Pedagogy’s course offerings. |
Pedagogy, Inc., a national provider of online continuing education and training courses in the health care professions is very pleased to announce that LTCS Books, a nationally recognized provider of Nursing Care plans, Certified Nurse Aide training, Home Health Care education, and MDS 3.0 Coding has joined forces.
Speaking of the new partnership with LTCS Books, Capra Dalton, Pedagogy’s CEO states “This is really exciting for Pedagogy. LTCS Books has provided nursing care plan books and staff development to over a third of the long term care facilities in the nation. We are very happy to now offer LTCS’s expertise in an online format. Facilities will now be able to offer online education through any device with an internet connection, any time of day or night, freeing staff from the costly and time consuming burden of providing staff training, orientation and inservice education in the traditional classroom setting. Pedagogy’s online Learning Management System will also allow complete education management in a paperless, convenient format.”
Debra will be featured in our Long Term Care and Home Health Campus and Inservice and Compliance Campus as a guest blogger and featured news article and newsletter contributor.
We invite you to register for the Campus Newsletter to receive regular articles featuring Debra’s expert and knowledgeable insights into today’s healthcare education.
To subscribe to the newsletters, click the link below to view our "Student Union" page.
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Increasing Reimbursement in Long Term Care
There are many ways the MDS coordinator can increase the reimbursement level of the facility. While quality of care is the top priority, working to get the top level of payment that is justifiably regarding services rendered is of the utmost importance. Increased funds produce more resources for care. |
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• Know the Federal and State Regulations. MDS data and documentation out of compliance, due to errors or lateness, risks having assessments being paid at the default rate; the lowest rate of payment.
• Be familiar with the documentation requirements of skilled care. Knowing the requirements of skilled care provides opportunities to spot residents falling into higher reimbursement levels upon admission or when the level of needed care changes. Making sure the required documentation is in place assures that the facility will be paid for those services.
• Know the criteria for RUG IV categories. Many elements of the MDS affect the RUG IV categories, and being familiar with them will help spot aspects of care that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Use Grace Days to capture a higher RUG IV score. One of the reasons the Grace Days exist is to enable the facility to capture services for higher reimbursement. Work with the Therapy departments to set the ARD to capture higher Rehabilitation categories.
• Monitor residents for changes that could alter the level of care. Scheduling Significant Change assessments when they are needed not only keeps the Care Plan appropriate for the resident’s needs, but it can also captures higher payment rates do to the increased need for care. Read the 24 Hour reports, attend Stand-up meetings, and examine the Physician’s telephone orders daily to catch changes.
• Schedule assessments to capture higher RUG IV categories. Although Quarterly assessments can be no later than 92 days of the completion date of the last assessment, it is perfectly legitimate to schedule them earlier than the 92 days.
Guest Article by Debra Collins RN, RAC-CT, and Pedagogy author of multiple Inservices and Compliance online education courses for certified nursing assistants, CNA’s, and home health care aides. As CEO and President of LTCS Books, Inc., Debra maintains a knowledge base and writes weekly articles on long term care and home health care federal regulatory changes. |
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Campus News
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Blog Posts
Long-term care providers around the nation have experienced the impact of challenging economic times. Many...
Posted: 7/15/2013 12:51:54 PM | with 0 comments
There are many ways the MDS coordinator can increase the reimbursement level of the facility.
Posted: 7/12/2013 4:56:00 PM | with 0 comments
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Featured Author: Debra Collins
Debra Collins
RN, RAC-CT
As CEO and President of LTCS Books, Inc., Debra maintains a knowledge base and writes weekly articles on long term care and home health care federal regulatory changes.
She has written and published twelve books for long term care and home health care documentation. Her publications include care plans, policies and procedures, and quality assurance audits for Directors of Nursing, Administrators, Nursing, Restorative Nursing, MDS Coordinators, Social Services, Activities, and Infection Control. The books are used by over one third of long term care facilities in the United States.
Debra has over 25 years of experience in long term care and home health care. She worked as an MDS Consultant for many years, and is certified as a Resident Assessment Coordinator by AANAC, the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators. She is a member of the National Nurses in Business Association, National Association for Female Executives, American Business Women's Association, Bloomington Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and Ladies Who Launch.
Click here to view a full biography:
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