As individuals age, they may encounter challenges in performing daily activities such as getting dressed, taking a bath, or navigating their homes. Assistive tools are designed to make life easier!
Occupational Therapists specialize in assisting older adults to participate in activities and maintain independence and safety. If you experience trouble with completing everyday tasks, talk with your doctor about the potential benefits of physical and occupational therapy.
Pictured: Michaela Sims, Cassie Murray, Sheena Mattingly.
Michaela Sims, one of the top lobbyists in Washington D.C., has developed and implemented successful strategies for nearly twenty years of advocacy in the healthcare industry. Michaela is known for her ability to use plain language when explaining complicated regulatory matters.
HTS leadership had the privilege of attending ADVION’s Annual Conference on October 1 which was a dynamic and insightful experience. ADVION (formerly NASL) is a national organization specializing in legislative and regulatory matters affecting the long-term and post-acute care setting, including rehabilitation therapy. It’s such an energizing experience to be a part of such a powerful group of game-changing leaders in our industry.
The conference was an immersive experience featuring a wide range of seminars and keynote presentations. These sessions covered an extensive array of topics from cutting-edge research in our industry to leadership strategies, and the intersection of technology and long-term care. One of the highlights was a thought-provoking panel discussion with renowned experts on demonstrating the value of effective rehabilitation approaches.
Cassie Murray and Sheena Mattingly also had the opportunity to share feedback with Net Health on functionality. Collaborative discussion is a vital step in ensuring that the software aligns with the needs of both clinicians and healthcare providers which is instrumental in refining the tools and technology that support the critical work of therapists and therapy assistants. Through communication of HTS experience and insight into Net Health’s documentation system, we hope to continue to advocate for improved product offerings. By sharing our thoughts and suggestions, we contribute to the development of more efficient and user-friendly documentation systems. This helps clinicians streamline administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on what matters most – patient care.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires long-term care facilities to self-report incidents occurring in their facilities to the Office of Inspector General. For your convenience, fillable forms are available to promote continuity and consistency.
Two new Facility-Reported Incident forms have been released and are now posted HERE.
Please use the new forms effective immediately. Remember, if there is insufficient space to complete an answer, additional pages may be attached.
Questions may be directed to your respective OIG Division of Health Care Branch Office.
Rehabilitation is an important and critical part of the recovery process. The goal of rehabilitation is to help an individual heal and achieve the highest level of independence possible. Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) all work together to help individuals overcome obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists help those recovering after an illness, injury, surgery, or chronic condition. Physical Therapists can help speed up the recovery process by increasing strength and endurance, improving balance and coordination, and reducing pain.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists help individuals to safely do the things they need and want to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). The goal of Occupational Therapy is to help individuals participate in meaningful activities, promote safety, and enhance quality of life.
Speech Therapy
Speech-Language Pathology (Speech Therapy) involves the evaluation and treatment of adults experiencing trouble with speech, language, cognitive function, and swallowing disorders.
Most people will require at least one rehabilitation service at some point in their lives, making it important to know the role and benefits of therapy. After therapy, many patients find a renewed sense of confidence and discover that daily tasks are easier and safer to complete. If you or a loved one could benefit from physical, occupational, or speech therapy, speak to your doctor today about treatment options.
Blog by: Shelly Maffia, RN, MSN, MBA, LNHA, QCP, CHC, CLNC, CPC, Director of Regulatory Services, Proactive LTC Consulting
As a new fiscal year begins, it’s the perfect time to dive into survey trends we’ve witnessed across the nation in the past year. These these trends can serve as a guide to preparations for upcoming surveys. For those eagerly awaiting the survey team’s arrival, these insights will help you steer the ship through the ever-shifting regulatory currents.
Notable trends in survey activity based on survey records in CASPER, as of 10/08/2023 for Fiscal Year 2023 (10/01/22-09/30/23) include…
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About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. These reports contain provider performance scores for quality measures, which will be published on Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog (PDC) during the January 2024 refresh.
The data contained within the Preview Reports are based on quality assessment data submitted by SNFs from Quarter 2, 2022 through Quarter 1, 2023. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measures reflect data from Quarter 4, 2022 through Quarter 1, 2023 for the Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel measure, and Quarter 1, 2023 for the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) measure. The data for the claims-based measures will display data from Quarter 4, 2020 through Quarter 3, 2022 for this refresh, and for the SNF Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) measure, from Quarter 4, 2021 through Quarter 3, 2022. Providers have until November 13, 2023, to review performance data.
To locate your SNF Provider Preview Reports in iQIES, please follow the instructions listed below:
NOTE: SNF Provider Preview report links are titled “SNF Provider Preview Report”. For questions related to accessing your facility’s provider preview report, reach out to the iQIES Service Center by email iqies@cms.hhs.gov or call 1-800-339-9313. For questions about SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Public Reporting, email SNFQRPPRQuestions@cms.
Blog by: Stacy Baker, OTR/L, CHC, RN, RAC-CT, Director of Audit Services, Proactive Medical Review
MACs have begun rolling out the mandated 5-Claim Probe and Educate audit and will eventually review claims for every eligible SNF in their jurisdiction. SNF certifications and recertifications are important elements of SNF Medicare stay compliance and will be considered as part of this review. In this blog, we’ll delve into the essential aspects of the SNF certification / recertification process, and share guidance and insights for assessing your process and ensuring compliance.
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About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.
As the temperature drops and days grow shorter, individuals with arthritis often face the daunting challenge of managing symptoms in cold weather. The cold can exacerbate joint stiffness and pain, making it tempting to stay indoors and reduce physical activity. However, exercise remains a powerful tool for arthritis management, even in chilly conditions.
Why staying active during winter months is beneficial for managing arthritis pain:
Don’t let the cold weather deter you from managing your arthritis pain through exercise. Regular, ongoing physical activity can lead to long-term improvements in joint function and reduced pain.
Physical and Occupational therapy play essential roles in helping people ease arthritis symptoms and engage in the activities they love. They can provide personalized exercise recommendations and strategies that are safe and appropriate for an individual’s specific type
and severity of arthritis. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of both physical and occupational therapy for your arthritis needs!
The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.18.11 is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.18.11 will be effective beginning October 01, 2023.
This version of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual contains substantial revisions related to the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act), which requires that standardized assessment items be collected across post-acute care (PAC) settings. Standardized data will enable cross-setting data collection, outcome comparison, exchangeability of data, and comparison of quality within and across PAC settings. Additionally, the language of the manual has been updated throughout to be gender neutral. Guidance and examples in numerous chapters and appendices have been revised for clarification and to reflect current regulations and best practices. Due to the scope of the revisions, CMS will not issue Replacement Pages for v1.18.11; those wishing to continue using a physical copy of the manual are encouraged to print the new version.
A document listing all changes from the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.18.11 draft version to the final version is available for reference in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page.
Blog by: Janine Lehman, RN, RAC-CT, CLNC, Director of Legal Nurse Consulting, Proactive LTC Consulting
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the long-awaited Proposed Minimum Staffing Rule on 9/1/23 with the stated objective of seeking “to establish comprehensive nurse staffing requirements to hold nursing homes accountable for providing safe and high-quality care for the over 1.2 million residents receiving care in Medicare and Medicaid certified facilities each day”.
Here’s what you need to know…
This proposed rule consists of three core staffing proposals:
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About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.
Healthcare Therapy Services, Inc.
1500 American Way, Suite 110
Greenwood, IN 46143
Toll Free: (800) 486-4449
Fax: (317) 886-5025
E-mail: info@htstherapy.com
Compliance Hotline
HTS Company ID number: 7816516030
Call 1-855-662-SAFE (1-855-662-7233)
Visit safehotline.com