CMS Schedules MDS 3.0 Training

VHCA (1/22/2010)

AHCA has notified members that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the process of scheduling Train-the-Trainer Conferences for MDS 3.0 with participation in the conference “by invitation only”.  AHCA has been given 53 conference registration slots to ensure one member representative from each state and US territories.  The current conference schedule follows.

March 15-19: This first session is required for state RAI Coordinators, state long term care Surveyor preceptor/trainer and is optional for State Medicaid Agency (Case Mix) representatives.

April 13-16: A second session is scheduled for key provider stakeholders and will include identifying changes in the RAI/MDS 3.0, conducting a RAI/MDS 3.0 assessment, coding the MDS accurately and correctly, and identifying the impact of implementation.  CMS has given AHCA 53 conference registration slots for this April session to ensure one member representative from each state affiliate and US territories.  April 16, in addition to provider stakeholders, this session will be required for Money Follows the Person (MFP) Grant Project Directors and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Grant Project Directors.  This session is optional for representatives from State Center for Independent Living (CIL) and State Medicaid Agency (manager of the LTC system).  The session will focus on increasing knowledge of MDS 3, Section Q – Return to the Community and understanding the challenges and issues involved with implementation of Section Q.

After the CMS registration by key stakeholders has been completed, CMS intends to hold an “Open Registration” on a first come/first serve basis for any remaining open seats.  The opportunity to register will be announced on the Open Door Forum website and on the MDS 3.0 website.  CMS anticipates “Open Registration” by February 22, 2010.  In addition to the program for stakeholders, AHCA requests that CMS hold a national satellite broadcast to accommodate all providers, state survey personnel and other interested parties.  AHCA will keep members informed about this development.