News & Publications

Changes to four quality measures (QM) that will impact the QM domain of the Five-Star Quality Rating System in the January 2025 refresh.

Using Quality in Focus as the foundation, Polaris Group highlights FTag 582 Medicaid/Medicare Coverage/Liability Notice.

Surveyor updates coming in February, what you need to know.

F883 immunization deficiencies surged in 2024 mock surveys. What do know and what to do in order to align policies with CMS regulations.

Six points to consider while updating your facility assessment.

A focus on nutrition/hydration in LTC facilities post-COVID and recommendations on what to observe during meal service to improve compliance

Using Quality in Focus as the foundation, Polaris Group highlights FTag 684 Quality of Care, the third most frequently cited FTag in FY 2023

On July 31st revisions to 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System, the QRP, SDOH, ICD-10 Code Mappings, and CMPs.

Six Steps to Ensure Compliance with F838 Facility Assessment. Revisions Effective 8.8.24. Are You Prepared?

Have you completed the updates effective August 9th, 2024? Does Your Staffing Plan Meet the Medically Complex Needs of Your Resident?

See how Mansion Nursing & Rehab achieved 100% assessment accuracy and increased its CMI by 12%.

With the release of the CMS mandate requiring the use of EBP in certain circumstances, we offer information related to common questions.

The rules address minimum staffing standards, as well and Medicaid and Managed Care access.

Effective April 1st, surveyors will evaluate the use of EBP, Polaris Group suggests the implementation of 5 processes to avoid citations.

A systematic review of 4 areas (grooming, nutrition, assistance with bathroom, assistance with transport) to ensure compliance with F677.

Using Quality in Focus as the foundation, Polaris Group highlights best practices to help mitigate penalties and citations.

Three key takeaways from the SNN's Clinical Conference: Training, MDS Completion, and Financial Advocacy and the Staffing Mandate.

A high-level overview of upcoming MDS modifications as well as ways to prepare.

Six questions to ensure your grievance process meets regulations.

F689 Falls – Are You Proactive or Reactive?

Learn about the 7 measures your community can utilize to reduce the risk of a F695 citation.

Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) is a two-in-one approach read below to see how it can help your community.

Avoid a F921 citation by promoting a comfortable, clean, and safe environment in your facility.

How facilities can avoid a F909 citation through bed audits, understanding and training around zones of entrapment, and more.

Facilities can avoid a F812 citation with proper food safety, sanitation practices, and documentation.

On September 1st, CMS released a proposed staffing mandate. Understand what it means for your facility and what you can do next to prepare.

Use this checklist to help prepare your facility for MDS 3.0

Section O changes will impact how you code treatments, procedures, and programs residents received or performed during assessment periods.

Facilities can avoid a F689 citation with accident prevention, resident and environment supervision, and maintaining devices and equipment.

The impact of staffing shortages could impact your survey results -delays in timely completion, questionable citations, and more.

Section K in MDS 3.0 has wording clarifications and revisions to data elements and assessment steps.

Polaris Group will enable MatrixCare customers to utilize remote MDS coordinators to improve MDS assessment execution.

Surveyors are increasingly focused on infection control. Read more to learn how you can prepare your facility.

The Resident Mood Interview will be modified to the PHQ-2 to 9 with the new MDS 3.0. Use the Total Severity Score to enhance care planning.

This blog is part of Polaris Group's Decoding the MDS 3.0 series which explores changes to the new MDS, launching October 1, 2023.

This blog is part of Polaris Group's Decoding the MDS 3.0 series which will explore the changes occurring in specific MDS sections.

On October 1, 2023 the new MDS 3.0 goes into effect, presenting major changes to how care is documented and coded.

Learn how CMS's 5 Claim Probe & Educate Review program aims to help SNFs improve billing under the PDPM model.

Facilities need to focus on the safety of outside food brought into the facility by visitors.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has instructed MACs to perform a 5-claim probe on each SNF in their area.

Ongoing training is key to ensure competent staff, volunteers, and students who can provide the best care to residents.

Polaris Group consultants can help your nursing home teams with clinical and Medicare compliance support.

Proposed mandates, the potential impacts, and initial steps your facility can take to get ready for this new ruling.

New CMS audits are on the horizon to reduce unnecessary use – is your facility prepared?

Understand Ftag F578 and ensure your community is in compliance!

Ensure you're providing culturally competent care in accordance with professional standards of practice

The end of the emergency on May 11 signals a new phase of the government’s pandemic response.

CMS announces additional plans to tighten antipsychotic oversight and increase consumer transparency.

Now is the time to focus on your facility’s policies and procedures. In this blog, learn about steps to reduce your risk for FTag citations.

Learn how Peachtree Hills Place achieved a deficiency-free state survey using an expert outsourced MDS Coordinator.

Understand CMS's New Nursing Facility Guidance and training requirements

Learn how the White House is addressing quality of care through changes to the SFF program

Understand the new Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel quality measure into the SNF QRP.

Prepare for upcoming October changes to the nursing home surveyor process by reviewing these 13 key questions.

Learn how Polaris finds and places exceptional specialized candidates in nursing home facilities nationwide

Recent cases of monkey pox reported in the US shows us that emergent diseases will always be a challenge. Prepare for the next virus.

On September 2, 2022, CMS posted a draft of updated MDS specifications. Here are the revisions.

Not all staffing teams are the same. Polaris's results? 98% retention rates and superior staff for your facility.

With high turnover, recruitment problems, and survey concerns, the demands on your clinical staff are greater than ever before.

The new CMS surveyor guidance beginning in October stresses medication management and gradual dose reduction.

Read our blog on the latest CMS surveyor guidance on infection control deficiencies and how to ensure your facility prevents citations.

Get an overview of the upcoming items that surveyors will be focused on so you can prepare your facilities for citation-free surveys. 

Surveyors will be using new CMS Phase 2 and Phase 3 guidance to identify non-compliance as of October 24th, 2022.

The PDPM payment system doesn’t affect Part B therapy, but Part B claims are still eligible for auditing.  

Are traditional recruiting strategies no longer working? Polaris Staffing outlines several unique tactics to attract high quality staff.

Learn more about the newest CMS vaccine mandate guidelines and how they affect your community by reading our latest blog.

Announcement regarding the end of emergency waivers and details on areas affected by the change.

A case study on how Covenant Living Communities and Services benefited from Polaris Group's Offsite MDS Coordinator Program.

FTag citations have changed dramatically during COVID-19. Learn about the 10 most frequently cited and how to stay in compliance.

Expanded RCM and back-office services are now available to long-term care communities through Quality Healthcare Resources.

Understand the January 1st, 2022 reduction in reimbursement for services provided by therapy assistants.

Healthcare consumers are now able to see nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend staffing levels on Medicare.gove Care Compare.

See CMS' latest COVID-19 vaccination requirements and timelines for healthcare staff.

Learn more about the recently upheld 2019 decision allowing Medicare beneficiaries to appeal a hospital's reclassification of inpatients.

As Medicare audits return, it’s important to understand when and how to share a Medicare expedited determination with your patients.

See updates to coding for Post-Covid 19 conditions

Get the latest CMS Medicare updates.

CMS has established and are implementing two new therapy modifiers for PTAs and OTAs providing services to therapy patients.

See how the staffing crisis has impacted MDS Coordinator retention, and how Polaris Group can help.

See how Polaris Group can help you fill vacant nursing home administrator positions.

Understand the latest COVID-19 regulation for healthcare workers and take advantage of new Section GG training.

Learn how to prepare for infection control requirements in your state certification surveys.

Understand CMS' published SNF PPS Final Rules for FY 2022.

Learn more about CMS’ proposed SNF PPS payment in FY 2022.

The Patient-Driven Payment Model(PDPM) and Why It's Important

Part Two of a two-part interview. I am completing a Discharge Assessment for a resident who, upon admission, had two stage 2 pressure ulcers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training.

Part One of a two-part interview. When our MDSC completes a Significant Change in Status MDS, does this change the PDPM rate for Medicare?

The legislation would require MA plans to share data, provide transparency, create more efficient systems, and do a better job of listening.

According to AAPACN the CMS FY 2022 budget request has been finalized and submitted to Congress