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[Editor’s note: Story has been updated with sign-up information for the call.]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a skilled nursing / long-term care Open Door Forum conference call for providers at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Wednesday. It is the final regularly scheduled forum before the scheduled Oct. 1 start of the new MDS 3.0 / RUG-IV assessment and payment systems. They have been called the most dramatic changes for providers in several decades.

CMS officials will deliver the newest developments and any policy changes regarding MDS 3.0, and for other initiatives. One CMS official today dismissed recent speculation that the Oct. 1 switchover would be delayed as “wishful thinking.” Wednesday’s conference call will include an open question-and-answer segment at the end.

To participate in the call, dial (800) 837-1935 on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. Submit conference identification number 91967346. Callers cannot call to participate prior to that date.

To listen to an “encore” version of the call, dial (800) 642-1687 and give the conference ID number. The recorded version of the call will be available starting at 5 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, Sept. 15. It will be available until Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. ET.