Introduction
This manual explains not only the basics of filling out the MDS 3.0 form, but presents the material in a way that will increase accuracy, quality of care, and reimbursement.
The book is based on material from the Long Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument User’s Manual, Version 3.0, CMS, November 2009, but also includes helpful material not found in the RAI User’s Manual.
Sections of the MDS form appear before the explanatory text.
Items impacting the plan of care, quality issues, and reimbursement are clearly marked with corresponding Care Area Triggers, RUG IV Categories, Quality Indicators, Quality Measures, and Significant Changes.
For each section, a summary is given of the section’s intent, changes from MDS 2.0, new items, and dropped items.
The first part of the book serves as a bridge between MDS 2.0 and MDS 3.0, summarizing all section and item changes. Quick reference guides are included for fast knowledge of MDS 3.0: Significant Change in status Checklist, MDS Sections Changing Reimbursement, and Quality Indicators and Measures with 3.0 triggers.
The Special Items section is an easy-to-use guide to different look-back times, interview items, scored items, and skip items.
This material can be used for training staff members who are new to the MDS coding process or as an ongoing reference resource to assure and improve coding accuracy.