For professionals aiming for Long Term Care Coding Certification
CMS offers numerous informational avenues regarding LTCH QRP for hospitals and stakeholders. These resources are designed to ensure accurate data submission and quality reporting, both essential components of long term care coding and compliance:
- Training Materials and In-person Training
- Training Question and Answers (Q&As)
- Hospital/Quality Initiative Open Door Forum (ODF) Presentations
- Special Open-Door Forum (SODF) Presentations
- CMS Quality Partner/Vendor Workgroup Presentations
This page serves as your curated library to these vital training materials, particularly relevant for those pursuing long term care coding certification. New additions within the last six months are marked as *NEW*, ensuring you stay updated with the latest information.
For technical inquiries or training feedback, you can reach out to the PAC Training mailbox. Content-related questions should be directed to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.
Foundational Knowledge: Introduction to LTCH QRP Web-Based Training
For individuals new to the LTCH QRP, the Introduction to the LTCH QRP web-based training course is an excellent starting point. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the program and links to further resources, covering key topics such as:
- Lesson 1: What is the LTCH QRP? – Understanding the program’s purpose and scope is fundamental for accurate coding and reporting.
- Lesson 2: The LTCH Continuity Assessment Record & Evaluation (CARE) Data Set (LCDS) – The LCDS is the backbone of LTCH QRP data submission; mastering it is vital for coding professionals.
- Lesson 3: LCDS Submission – Learn the processes and requirements for accurate and timely data submission, a core competency for certified coders.
- Lesson 4: LTCH QRP Resources – Discover where to find ongoing support and updates for LTCH QRP and coding best practices.
This introductory course lays the groundwork for understanding the coding and reporting requirements necessary for long term care coding certification in the LTCH setting.
Achieving Full Annual Payment Update: Webinar Insights
The “LTCH QRP: Achieving a Full Annual Payment Update (APU)” webinar, held on May 27, 2021, is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm_GXYzlLzw. The training materials provided alongside this webinar are crucial for understanding the financial implications of accurate coding and reporting within the LTCH QRP. Achieving a Full APU is directly linked to compliant and precise coding practices, a key focus for long term care coding certification.
Decoding Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Items
The Social Determinants of Health Items (SDOH): Determining When a Proxy Response is Allowed explainer video is a valuable resource for ensuring accurate data collection for specific SDOH items. Correctly coding Ethnicity (A1005), Race (A1010), Language (A1110), Transportation (A1250), Health Literacy (B1300), and Social Isolation (D0700) is increasingly important for comprehensive patient care reporting and reflects best practices in long term care coding.
Section-Specific Training: Mastering Key Data Elements for Coding Accuracy
CMS provides targeted training materials for specific sections of the LTCH CARE Data Set, directly enhancing coding accuracy and contributing to the skill set required for long term care coding certification.
Section A: Transfer of Health Items
The Transfer of Health Items Explainer Video clarifies the coding of A2121. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Subsequent Provider at Discharge and A2123. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Patient at Discharge. Accurate medication reconciliation coding is critical for patient safety and compliant reporting.
Section C: Cognitive Assessment – BIMS
The BIMS Video Tutorial, a 20-minute guide, assists providers in applying guidance and interview strategies for the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) within LCDS 5.0. This video uses live-action patient scenarios to demonstrate accurate coding. Understanding cognitive assessments and their proper documentation is a specialized skill within long term care coding.
The BIMS and BIMS Summary Score Explainer Video further aids in determining when to stop the BIMS and how to code incomplete interviews. These nuances are essential for precise cognitive assessment coding. The BIMS Interview Cue Card acts as a supplementary tool for patient communication during BIMS administration, ensuring accurate response capture and coding.
Section D: Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 to 9)
The PHQ-2 to 9 Cue Card supports providers in coding the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 to 9) for D0150. This tool assists in patient mood interviews by providing visual references for symptom frequency selection, enhancing the accuracy of mental health coding.
Section GG: Functional Abilities and Goals
The Section GG -Web-Based Training Series is designed for on-demand learning about assessing and coding Section GG items. Interactive exercises reinforce knowledge of these critical functional status data elements.
Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items offer targeted guidance through simulated patient scenarios, improving practical application of Section GG coding.
Section J: Health Conditions and Falls
The Health Conditions: Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls web-based training provides a 45-minute overview of Section J, including interactive exercises. Accurate falls risk and health condition coding is essential for patient safety and quality reporting.
Pain Interview Cue Cards assist providers in conducting Pain Interviews (LCDS 5.0), offering visual aids for response options and improving the accuracy of pain assessment coding.
Section M: Skin Conditions – Pressure Ulcers/Injuries
The Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries web-based training (90 minutes) covers Section M: Skin Conditions. Mastering pressure ulcer/injury assessment and coding is a critical competency in long term care, reflecting patient care quality and impacting reporting metrics.
Section N: Medications and Drug Regimen Review
The Medications – Drug Regimen Review web-based training (45 minutes) focuses on Section N and drug regimen review data elements. Accurate medication coding and review are vital for patient safety and regulatory compliance.
The Understanding Coding for N0415 Explainer Video clarifies coding for N0415. High-Risk Drug Classes, ensuring providers correctly identify and code high-risk medication use and indications.
Job Aids and Pocket Guides: Practical Tools for Daily Coding
Job Aids are companion resources assisting with assessment item coding. They provide clinically relevant information and guidelines for specific coding scenarios, serving as valuable quick references for daily coding tasks.
Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies are designed for quick reference to important terms and definitions, promoting coding accuracy at the point of care. These are especially useful for reinforcing coding knowledge on-the-go.
Staying Updated: Health Equity and Program Updates
The *NEW* Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports Educational Materials provide insights into CMS’s focus on health equity. Understanding these reports and related metrics is increasingly important for comprehensive long term care quality and reporting.
Regular updates, such as the January 15, 2024 and October 17, 2024 announcements, highlight new resources like FAQs and Methodology Reports for Health-Related Social Needs and updated Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports. Staying informed about these updates is crucial for maintaining coding compliance and best practices.
The October 15, 2024 update details the new Screen Positive for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Indicator Confidential Feedback Report, emphasizing the growing importance of SDOH data in quality reporting.
The September 4, 2024 update features the “From Data Elements to Quality Measures Cross-Setting Web-Based Training,” explaining how data elements translate into quality measures across post-acute care settings. This understanding is vital for coders to see the impact of their work on broader quality outcomes.
The August 26, 2024 update highlights the updated Section GG Web-Based Training Series, reinforcing the ongoing emphasis on accurate functional status coding.
The August 14, 2024 update announces the availability of National Summary Reports for Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports, providing broader context and benchmarks for quality and equity in post-acute care.
The July 24, 2024 update introduces the Patient Mood Interview (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-2 to 9©) Video Tutorial, further supporting accurate mental health assessment coding.
Finally, the July 19, 2024 update announces the “What You Need to Know: PAC QRP Key Program Updates – FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training,” keeping professionals informed about program changes, new measures, and updated guidelines, including the new COVID-19 vaccination data element.
Conclusion: Your Path to Long Term Care Coding Certification
The resources provided by CMS are invaluable for anyone seeking long term care coding certification and expertise in LTCH QRP. From introductory courses to section-specific training, webinars, job aids, and crucial updates, CMS offers a comprehensive library to support accurate coding, compliant reporting, and ultimately, excellence in long-term care. By utilizing these materials, coding professionals can enhance their skills, stay abreast of program changes, and confidently pursue long term care coding certification, contributing to improved patient care and organizational success. Explore these resources today to advance your expertise in long term care coding and quality reporting.
