RUGs IV or Not?

The LTC industry eagerly awaits the passing of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. Last week the House and Senate reached agreement on the "extenders package", also known as American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. This ensures that RUG-IV and MDS 3.0 will be implemented together on October 1, 2010. The House will take up the bill early in the week with the Senate to follow later in the week. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he "hopes to finish the spending bill and the so-called extenders bill before the scheduled start of the Memorial Day recess at week's end."

Yesterday, CMS released a statement that SNF's will recieve interim payment rates, effective October 1, 2010, that reflect not only the use of MDS 3.0, but also the new RUG-IV system. If the bill does not pass, then CMS plans to retroactively adjust the rates to reflect a hybrid RUG-III (HR-III) system which incorporates RUG-IV's specific revisions on concurrent therapy and the look-back period within the framework of the existing 53-group RUG-III system, along with the use of MDS 3.0. Harmony is closely monitoring the progress on this "Package" and will update the newsletter with any new information. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Link to CMS page, RAI Manual for MDS 3.0: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp

MDS 3.0 3-Day Intensive Training Course

JUNE 22-24, 2010

at Harmony University

Attendees at HU Receive the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual

(One per building)

Call Sue Pellegrini at Ext. 21 for more information or to register.