MDS Alert

What Do You Think?

Question: Can you set the ARD for an SCSA on the 14th day following determination of the significant change?

Answer: You can set the ARD for the assessment within 14 days from the date the significant change in status is identified. But if you choose day 14 for the ARD, you would also have to complete the SCSA, which is a comprehensive assessment, on that day, including the RAPs, according to Cathy Sorgee, RN. And that can pose a problem because the ARD includes the full 24 hours, she adds. Nevertheless, the RAI manual rules allow it--and some facilities do it on occasion, Sorgee notes.

Question: Do you do an SCSA when the resident improves to the point he comes off Medicare Part A?

Answer: If the resident improves to the point he no longer requires a skilled level of care, you aren't supposed to continue billing Medicare, says Patricia Boyer, RN, MSM, NHA. "But the interdisciplinary team should anticipate the date when the person will be coming off Medicare, because the facility has to give him an expedited review notice two days ahead of time." So do you have to do an SCSA in such cases? Not if the resident is going home, Boyer says. "But if the person is going to become a long-term care patient and the last comprehensive assessment showed he was very dependent, the MDS team should do an SCSA with the RAPs and care plan."

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