In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the MDS changes coming this fall and what we know right now.

Additional Resource:

Quality Virtual Conference

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the Medicare appeals process in skilled nursing facilities.

Additional Resources:

Medicare Parts A & B Appeals Process: How the Five Levels of Appeal Work – AAPACN Article

Medicare Advantage vs. FFS Part A Expedited Determinations: What’s the Difference? – AAPACN Article

RAC-CTA - Medical Reviews and Oversight for the Advanced Medicare Specialist - Online + PDF – AAPACN On-Demand Course

Medicare Basic Training Part 9: Beneficiary Notices Initiative On-Demand Workshop – AAPACN Training

Medicare Basic Training Part 10: Medical Review and Appeals On-Demand Workshop – AAPACN Training

Original Medicare (Parts A and B Fee-for-Service) Initial Determination/Appeals Process – CMS Flow Chart

Beneficiary Notices Initiative – CMS Forms and Instructions for Notices

CMS Levels of Appeal – Website Reference

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the sequencing of ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding.Additional Resources:

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

AAPACN Articles: 

Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM: Diagnosis Sequencing Guidelines

Five Mistakes Often Made Selecting ICD-10-CM Codes in the SNF

How to Use the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual

ICD-10-CM: Navigating the Term “With,” Combination Codes, and Complications of Care

Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM Coding: Misunderstood Coding Guidelines

ICD-10 Coding: Keys to Achieving the Highest Specificity

Updates to ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines: Key Revisions and Their Implications

​​​​​​​AAPACN Education:

ICD-10-CM Coding Certificate Program for SNFs

RAC-CT – Introduction to ICD-10-CM Coding for Long-Term Care

​​​​​​​AAPACN Tool:

Provider ICD-10-CM Documentation Tip Sheet for Long-Term CareThis AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for use within their facility only. AAPACN facility organizational members have unlimited use only within facilities included in their organizational membership. Violation of AAPACN copyright may result in membership termination and loss of all AAPACN certification credentials. Learn more.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss the new Appendix PP updates related to admission, transfer, and discharge going into effect April 28, 2025.

Additional Resources:

Appendix PP Regulatory Updates – 2025

F-Tag Library On-Demand Series

CMS Nursing Homes Webpage – LTC Survey Pathways can be found in the Survey Resources ZIP file under the Downloads section

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss ways nurse assessment coordinators can advance their Quality Measures knowledge.

Additional Resources:Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Antipsychotic Medication Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: All the Vaccine Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Discharge Function Score Measure – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Long-Stay Falls Measures – ArticleQuality Measures: Fundamentals of Exclusions – PodcastJanuary 2025 Five-Star Unfreeze: What to Expect – PodcastMDS 3.0 Quality Measures: Start with the Basic Ingredients – May 2, 2024 – On-Demand WebinarAt-a-Glance QM, QRP, and VBP Tool – ToolWhen MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Triggers Start and Stop – ToolFive-Star and Care Compare MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Data Periods – ToolQuality Measures Survival Guide – ProductQuality Measures Rescue Guide – Product

In this podcast, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, address some of the questions that were asked during the AAPACN Webinar, “SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for this Alphabet Soup of Notices” held January 30, 2025.

Additional Resources:

SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for This Alphabet Soup of Notices? – Jan. 30, 2025

Beneficiary Notice Guidelines Tool

In this podcast, Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, discuss self-care and the importance of taking a break.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss a new method for auditing the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). 

Additional Resource:PDPM Audit by MDS Section

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss what to expect this January when Five-Star unfreezes several quality measures.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialists with AAPACN, discuss best practices to prepare for an AAPACN certification.

Additional Resources:

Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified (RAC-CT®)

Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified Advanced (RAC-CTA®)

QAPI Certified Professional (QCP®)

Director of Nursing Services—Certified (DNS-CT®)

Candidate Handbooks