therapy coding question ...

I can't answer your other questions as I am new to MDS myself. However, I am not new to LTC and usually see 2 MDS coordinators for that many residents.

Hi all....

After reading and rereading the 3.0 manuel section O ..I am confused...

Are we supposed to code minutes of therapy for nonskilled snf patients who the therapy department picks up for a skill under Part B ???? Should they be turning in minutes to me ?????

also ... I am entering entry tracking on all residents as they come in... then for the skilled I am combining a 5 d / adm assessment.... (usually with a day 7 or 8 ARD for rug rates .... I thought this was correct but my validation reports are coming back with a sequencing error notice .... what gives ????

thanks for all the advice ... I have only been the coordinator since the beginning of Nov and we have 120-125 residents for me to keep up with,,, its very hard .... Is this average for one MDS person ????? I also have to do all screen updates and all careplans and careplan meetings, am meetings, high risk meeting, IDT, and billing audits.... Im swamped

Yes, you code therapy minutes for Part B's & any other payer source, if the therapy minutes are within your ARD.

Yes, you are correct about entry tracking & Adm/5 day assessments. We are getting lots of strange notices on our validation reports as well. As long as the MDS is accepted, I wouldn't worry about it. Do you have an MDS Consultant? They can be a good resource. If not, you can contact your State MDS Coordinator.

So, you are the One & Only MDS Coordinator in your building of this size? You've got to be joking. There is no way 1 person could handle a building this size ALONE! Go to your Administrator. As a New MDS Coordinator, you will find out real fast how clueless most people are when it comes to MDS Responsibilities; you may have to educate your Administrator on the importance of the MDS Process (explain it in terms of $$$). Good Luck!!

Why isn't your therapy department filling out the therapy section? Instead of them writing down the minutes and giving them to you to put on the MDS, they can complete that section themselves.

well they just allowed me an LPN 2 days a week to help with the info gathering and careplans.... I'll take any help I can get I was swamped ...

I have to enter everyones sections, therapy included... no one has access except me (I think there was a problem in the past with unauthorized access or something anyway I am the only one to do the whole thing now.... all for the bargain price of well less than $30/hr ( I have completed the certif class through AANAC and am certified now though not yet experienced.... but learning quickly with the sink or swim method...lol)

ok ... I just reread my original post and let me clarify .... the therapy question was for long term care , ICF patients... NOT SKILLED.... but PT or OT picks up for a certain period of time under part B... do we add those minutes to the quarterly or annual MDS if in the look back period???? Even if therapy bills seperately ???? Will that change the reimbursement rate and does that mean double billing ???? I am confused ... thanks