A roadmap for EMRs: strategies and starting places for long-term care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week posted on its Web site a new schedule for the planned October 2010 rollout of the new MDS 3.0. But the agency quickly removed it the same day.

But not before a sharp-eyed observer saved a copy, which can be found at www.cpl-store.com. Although it reportedly is undergoing revisions, the schedule lends insight into almost 20 mileposts leading up to the newly announced rollout target. Updates on quality measures, the SNF prospective payment system, training dates and data specifications are among the key topics, according to a copy of the document obtained by McKnight’s.

Those who want to peruse the document can do so by applying for a 30-day free trial to the host site (The Compliance Store), a company representative said Friday. Compliance Store CEO Hugh Heaton found the much-anticipated document Wednesday morning online and saved it. But not long later, he noticed it was gone, she said.

A CMS spokeswoman told McKnight’s that the timeline was pulled because it was being “revised” but did not elaborate. Providers have anxiously awaited news about the MDS 3.0 rollout because of the amount of preparation it will require, and because of the impact it could have on assessments and reimbursements. CMS originally announced an October 2009 rollout of MDS 3.0 but later declared a one-year postponement in March. Officials said the delay was to allow all stakeholders, including the government itself, more time to properly prepare.