There is a mandated schedule for PPS assessments. This schedule is driven by the need to periodically identify resource utilization to set payment accordingly. Unlike the OBRA-required assessment schedule, the PPS assessment schedule is based on the days of the Medicare stay. Medicare benefit days are not always the same as the days of stay in the facility. “…it is not the admission date per se that determines the start of the Medicare assessment schedule, but rather, the commencement of Medicare-covered care in the SNF.” (Federal Register/Vol. 64, No. 146/Friday, July 30, 1999/Rules and Regulations, pg. 41659). The first day of the Medicare-covered stay is counted as “Day 1.” PPS assessments, which are listed in MDS Item AA8b, are based on the schedule from the RAI Manual (CMS, 2002, p. 2-29).
All MDS items must be signed and dated as completed at R2a and R2b within 14 days of the ARD, and encoded on the computer within 7 days of completion. Finally, assessments must be electronically transmitted no later than 31 days after their completion date (R2b). In addition to completing the assessments required under OBRA and PPS, Discharge and Reentry Tracking Forms must also be completed and submitted as mandated to track any discharges and reentries to the facility.
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