**Updated November 18, 2009- Change in SNF/LTC ODF date- The next Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is now scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2009 from 2-3pmET. If you wish to participate dial 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 40384200. Please see the Downloads section below for the full updated participation announcement, including how to participate in-person. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums.

**Updated November 5, 2009- Important Message Regarding Data Specifications: The data specification file published on October 29 contained an outdated file. An updated zip file labeled "Data Technical Files V1.01 November 2009" has been posted on the following webpage: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp . If you already downloaded the file labeled "Data Technical Files V1.00 October 2009," please discard that version since it contained inaccurate information. We apologize for any inconvenience. Any questions can be submitted to mds30comments@cms.hhs.gov .

**Updated November 4, 2009- Information Discussion from The Department of Health & Human Services on H1N1 will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 2pm-3pmET. The purpose of this third H1N1 call is to discuss the Secretary of Health and Human Services invoking her waiver authority under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Requests by providers to operate under the flexibilities afforded by the waiver should be sent to the CMS regional office. We will be talking live questions during this call. However, if you would like to submit a question prior to the call, please send your question to: Pandemic@cms.hhs.gov. Put "November 10, 2009 Call" in the subject line. We will have subject matter experts on hand to answer questions, and having your questions in advance ensure that we will have the right people available to respond.

Opening Remarks: Co-Chairs – Dr. Sally Phillips, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and Jean Sheil, CMS Pandemic Coordinator; Moderator – Susie Butler, CMS Office of External Affairs. 

Helpful websites:
• www.flu.gov;
• www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu;
• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/H1N1/Downloads/RequestingAWaiver101.pdf --Information outlining the 1135 Waiver process;
• http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm100228.htm -- information on antivirals;
• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6539.pdf -- CMS billing information;
• http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/Downloads/Medicare_FFS_Emergency_Qs_As_082609.pdf --Information for Medicare Fee-for-Service Providers.
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All callers please dial: 1-800-837-1935 and use Conference ID 3H1N1. Dial in at least 20minutes prior to start of the call. Please see the Downloads section below for the full participation announcement.

**Updated October 30, 2009- Publishing Update for MDS 3.0 Data Item Set, Data Specifications, and RAI Manual: CMS is pleased to announce the publishing the MDS 3.0 Data Item Set and Data Specifications that will be implemented October 1, 2010. Information can be viewed on the MDS 3.0 page (www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp). The publishing of the MDS 3.0 RAI manual has been delayed. It is anticipated that chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 will be published in November. Chapter 4 (Care Area Assessments (CAAs)) & Appendix C (CAA resources) will be posted in December. When published the manual will include: Description and instructions for types of assessments and tracking documents, each MDS 3.0 item, the Care Area Assessment, submission and correction of MDS 3.0 records, Skilled Nursing Facility and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) policy for the MDS 3.0, and the RUG-IV classification system. You will be notified when the materials are published. Any questions can be directed to mds30comments@cms.hhs.gov.

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Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) Overview: 

The Skilled Nursing Facilities / Long-Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses the concerns and issues of both the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the nursing home industry generally. The types of issues that come up during this forum are often related to the Minimum Data Set, SNF Consolidated Billing, the roles and responsibilities of different SNF, NF or LTC professional staff under CMS regulations, clarifications of issues that are covered during a survey and certification process, and the many rules and requirements under which different related services can be payable. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, quality program initiatives, and other related areas are also included in the forums.

Downloads
Tuesday, December 8, 2009- Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care (PDF, 26KB) Tuesday, November 10, 2009- Information Discussion with Department of Health & Human Services on H1N1 (24KB, PDF) Wednesday, November 4, 2009- Special Open Door Forum: Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Open Call (24KB, PDF) AskMedicare e-Newsletter for Caregivers- September/October 2009 (PDF, 35KB) DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In October, 2009 (24KB, PDF) Survey and Cert Letter 09-17 (PDF, 149 KB)  Carrier/FI Directory (PDF, 338KB) Spell of Illness Chart (PDF, 20KB) Quality Improvement Organization Program's 9th Scope of Work (PDF, 24KB)
Related Links Inside CMS
Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum Mailing List Sign-Up CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities Center Nursing Home Quality Initiatives Medicare Contracting Reform Overview Details for Post Acute Care Payment Reform Demonstration (PAC-PRD) DRA of 2005- Money Follows the Person Grants Nursing Home Action Plan Nursing Home Value Based Purchasing Demo Limitation of Liability & Related Beneficiary Notices Consolidated Billing Annual Update Files for Carriers and FI
Related Links Outside CMS
Government Printing Office Federal Register Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Product Ordering Page Medicare Quality Improvement Community Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification (STRIVE) Nursing Home Quality Campaign MDS Training QIES Technical Support Office

Page Last Modified: 11/18/2009 11:23:47 AM
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