MDS 3.0 Certificate Program – Texas

Dive deep into the MDS 3.0 management system, a collection of assessment data required for skilled nursing facilities

Understanding MDS Assessment Scheduling

MDS Assessment Scheduling is a critical part of complete MDS Management! Learn to guide yourself and the IDT Team in accurate MDS scheduling. Learn to watch for maximizing reimbursement and quality measures.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the MDS 3.0 framework and RAI process and how it drives clinical documentation, care planning, Quality Measures (QMs), and reimbursement.

• Accurately determine ARDs (Assessment Reference Dates) and select the correct assessment type, frequency, and scheduling to maintain compliance.

• Code key MDS 3.0 sections with accuracy, including A, B, C, D, E, G, GG, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, P, Q, and R (SDOH), using current guidance and coding conventions.

• Apply PDPM rules (nursing, PT, OT, SLP, and NTA components) to optimize resident classification while maintaining clinical integrity.

• Use ICD-10-CM coding (primary and comorbid diagnoses) to support PDPM clinical categories and ensure diagnosis relevance and sequencing.

• Complete and interpret CAAs (Care Area Assessments) and create person-centered care plans that align with identified triggers and resident goals.

• Document skilled necessity for Medicare stays with defensible nursing/therapy notes that support MDS entries and PDPM components.

• Capture functional status correctly in Section GG, perform scoring from interdisciplinary sources, and translate scores into care plans and outcomes tracking.

• Monitor and improve Quality Measures & SNF QRP metrics, interpret facility scorecards, and build action plans to close performance gaps.

• Conduct internal MDS audits (validation, reconciliation with charting, triple-check for billing) and implement corrective action plans.

• Coordinate the IDT process (nursing, rehab, dietary, social services, activities, physicians) to ensure timely, accurate contributions to the MDS.

• Recognize payer-specific requirements (Medicare Part A, Managed Care, Medicaid) and align assessments and documentation with payer rules used in Texas facilities.

• Apply Texas-specific operational awareness, including alignment with state survey focus areas and HHSC guidance as applicable within facility policies.

• Use EHR/MDS software tools (workflow queues, validations, export files) and resolve common submission/validation errors.

• Protect privacy and compliance by applying HIPAA, fraud-waste-abuse prevention, and documentation integrity standards.

• Communicate findings and recommendations to leadership using concise reports (ARD calendars, QM dashboards, PDPM case-mix summaries).