MDS Data Verification Deadline Is Friday
We remind members that the window for reviewing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments that will be used for calculating the Case Mix Index (CMI) used to adjust July 2021 Medicaid rates closes on Fri., July 23rd. Providers have until then to review the data posted on the Health Commerce System (HCS) and ensure that the correct payer and special population information is reflected. Homes must email the signed and notarized certification to MDSBRHCR@health.ny.gov within seven days of pressing the “Submit” button indicating that their MDS data is correct. Certifications must be received by the Department of Health (DOH) no later than July 30th. The Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) is available here; the certification form is here.
The July 2021 Medicaid rate marks the first time that the State is utilizing the new CMI methodology, which bases the calculation on all MDS assessments submitted during the six-month catchment period (i.e., Oct. 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021) instead of using the “picture date” approach.
Providers need to navigate to the appropriate section of the HCS (see slides 18-20 of the DOH presentation) and review the list of assessments with Assessment Reference Dates (ARDs) within the catchment period. As in previous MDS verification cycles, providers will be able to update the payer status, the specialty unit indicator, as well as the special population flag (i.e., Dementia, BMI, TBI). Note that any changes made using the drop-down menus are meant to ensure that the information reflected is accurate at the time of the ARD of the assessment in question. The Resource Utilization Group (RUG) assignment for each assessment will appear only after the “Submit” button is clicked.
A recording of the webinar that DOH presented outlining the new process is available here, the presentation slides are here, and a set of Questions and Answers is posted here.
Questions may be submitted to MDSBRHCR@health.ny.gov, but DOH reminds providers to use the secure transfer application and address the packet to BLTCRMDS Group if sending resident-identifying information (instructions for using secure transfer appear on p. 24 of the slides). Additional information and a summary of key points from the webinar are available here.
Contact: Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8841