MEDICARE/MEDICAID NEWS &APPEALS OF CMS PENALTIES/REMEDIES
1. MDS Focused Surveys to be expanded nationwide in 2015- In 2014 CMS, in conjunction with 5 volunteer States (MD, PA, VA, IL, and MN) piloted a survey to assess Minimum Data Set, Version 3.0 (MDS 3.0) coding practices and its relationship to resident care in nursing homes. CMS plant to expand the MDs focused surveys to all States and include a review of nursing home staffing in 2015. Training for the surveys will begin in April 2015.