VHCA Convenes Stakeholder Meeting On MDS 3.0: Section Q

VHCA (09/3/10)

In connection with significant changes effective October 1st related to the completion of Section Q of the MDS 3.0, “Return to the Community”, VHCA convened a stakeholder workgroup comprised of provider, state agency representatives and other key groups who will be involved in a referral process to assist in discharging residents from the nursing home to the community.  The goal of the meeting was to identify and resolve issues associated with Section Q of the MDS and to clarify roles and responsibilities of each entity in the discharge and identification of community resources in the referral process.  Among those attending the initial meeting of the stakeholder group on September 1st at the VHCA office were nursing home providers, DMAS "Money Follows the Person” Demonstration Project Director, staff from the Office of Licensure & Certification, Department for the Aging, Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services, Centers for Independent Living, State Ombudsman, and Area on Aging personnel. 

The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) is in the process of developing a “Statement of Understanding” between nursing facilities, Local Contact Agencies (LCAs) and Transition Coordination Agency Providers when generating and processing a Section Q referral for a resident who expresses a desire to return to the community.  According to language in the draft Statement of Understanding, “This enhanced section of the MDS 3.0 seeks to broaden the traditional definition of “discharge planning” in nursing facilities by recognizing that an expansive range of community-based supports and services are necessary for successful community living.   The implementation of Section Q encourages nursing facility interdisciplinary staff to assess long stay residents who may not have been previously considered as candidates for community living and facilitates resident and nursing facility connection and communication with LCAs to assess community resource availability and determine whether community discharge is possible.” 

DMAS, in concert with the Department for the Aging, will be developing and distributing a list of LCAs designed to create a consistent and uniform process across Virginia for generating and processing a MDS 3.0 Section Q referral.  We will provide more information on the process and contacts once it becomes available.