Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has many sources of information about LTCH QRP for hospitals and other stakeholders including:

• 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 is organized to be a library of training materials available to LTCHs. Trainings added to this page in the most recent six months will display as *NEW*.

If you have technical questions or feedback regarding the trainings, please email the PAC Training mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.

Introduction to the LTCH QRP Web-Based Training

This web-based training course was developed for those who are new to the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). The Introduction to the LTCH QRP course is designed to provide a general overview of the program as well as a variety of links and resources for additional information. Specific topics include:

• Lesson 1: What is the LTCH QRP?
• Lesson 2: The LTCH Continuity Assessment Record & Evaluation (CARE) Data Set (LCDS)
• Lesson 3: LCDS Submission
• Lesson 4: LTCH QRP Resources

Achieving a Full APU Webinar Training

A video of the LTCH QRP: Achieving a Full Annual Payment Update (APU) webinar that took place on Thursday, May 27, 2021, is available to view on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm_GXYzlLzw. The training materials are here:

• LTCH_QRP_Full_APU (PPTX)
• LTCH_QRP_Full_APU_508_May2021 (PDF)

Social Determinants of Health Items Explainer Video

The Social Determinants of Health Items (SDOH): Determining When a Proxy Response is Allowed for LTCH Providers 4-minute explainer video was developed to assist providers in accurately determining when the use of a proxy response is allowed for SDOH items: A1005. Ethnicity, A1010. Race, A1110. Language, A1250. Transportation, B1300. Health Literacy, and D0700. Social Isolation. 

• Social Determinants of Health Explainer Video. (3:52)

Section A Training Materials

Transfer of Health Items Explainer Video

This short, animated explainer video is intended to assist providers in coding A2121. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Subsequent Provider at Discharge and A2123. Provision of Current Reconciled Medication List to Patient at Discharge.

• Transfer of Health Items Explainer Video.

Section C Training Materials

BIMS Video Tutorial

This 20-minute tutorial was developed to assist providers with guidance application and interview strategies for the cognitive assessment known as the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) found in the LCDS 5.0. This video tutorial is designed to provide targeted guidance for accurate coding using live-action patient scenarios. 

• BIMS Video Tutorial.

BIMS and BIMS Summary Score Explainer Video

This animated explainer video, BIMS and BIMS Summary Score: Stopping and Coding an Incomplete Interviewfor LTCH Providers was developed to assist providers in accurately determining when the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) should be stopped, and how to code the remaining items in this situation. 

• BIMS and BIMS Summary Score: Stopping and Coding an Incomplete Interview Explainer Video. (3:23)

BIMS Interview Cue Card

This set of cue cards is intended to assist providers in conducting the Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS), as referenced in the LCDS 5.0 coding guidance. This resource is intended to be utilized as a supplemental patient communication tool that provides a visual reference for the coding of response options. More detailed instructions regarding the use of cue cards and the administration of the BIMS in writing can be found in the LCDS 5.0 Manual.

• 2023_February_Bims_Cue_Cards (PDF).

Section D Training Materials

PHQ-2 to 9 Cue Card

This cue card is intended to assist providers in coding the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 to 9) as referenced in the coding guidance for D0150. This resource is intended to be utilized during the Patient Mood Interview as a supplemental communication tool that provides a visual reference to assist patient selection of symptom frequency. The cue card is offered in two sizes which can be viewed or printed here:

• 2022_December_PHQ-2 to 9 Cue Card (PDF).

Section GG -Web-Based Training Series

This web-based training series is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser and includes interactive exercises to test your knowledge related to the assessment and coding of Section GG items. This training series consists of three courses:

• Course 1: Section GG Data Accuracy and Quality Measures.
• Course 2: Prior Functioning and Prior Device Use Items.
• Course 3: Accurate Coding for GG0130 and GG0170 Items.
• Course 4: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0130: Self-Care Items.
• Course 5: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0170: Mobility Items.

Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items

These videos, ranging from 4 to 12 minutes, are designed to provide targeted guidance using simulated patient scenarios. To access the videos, click on the links below.

• GG0110. Prior Device Use with Information from Multiple Sources. (3:58)
• GG0130A. Eating. (6:19)
• GG0130B. Oral Hygiene. (4:25)
• GG0170C. Lying to Sitting on Side of Bed. (4:31)
• GG0170L. Walking 10 Feet on Uneven Surfaces. (5:52)
• GG0170P. Picking Up Object. (11:56)
• Decision Tree for Coding Section GG0130. Self-Care and GG0170. Mobility. (11:56)

Section J Training Materials

Health Conditions: Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls

This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section J: Health Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.

• Section J: Health Conditions – Coding the Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements Related to Falls

Pain Interview Cue Cards

This set of cue cards is intended to assist providers in conducting the Pain Interview, as referenced in the LCDS 5.0 coding guidance. This resource is intended to be utilized as a supplemental patient communication tool that provides a visual reference for the coding of response options. More detailed instructions regarding the use of cue cards can be found in the LCDS 5.0 Manual.

• 2023_February_Pain_Interview_Cue_Cards (PDF)

Section M Training Materials

Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries

This 90-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements in Section M: Skin Conditions and is designed to include interactive exercises to test your knowledge. To access the videos, click the links below.

• Section M: Assessment and Coding of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries

Section N Training Materials

Medications – Drug Regimen Review

This 45-minute web-based training provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the Drug Regimen Review standardized patient assessment data elements to Section N and is designed to be used on demand anywhere you can access a browser. To access the videos, click the links below.

• Medications: Drug Regimen Review

Section N Training Materials

Understanding Coding for N0415 Explainer Video

This 4-minute, animated explainer video, Understanding Coding for N0415. High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication for LTCH Providers was developed to assist providers in accurately determining whether a patient is taking any prescribed medications in the specified drug classes and whether the patient-specific indication was noted for all medications in the drug class. 

• Understanding Coding for N0415. High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication Explainer Video. (4:07)

Job Aids

Companion job aids assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items and provide clinically relevant information to assist providers in understanding specific guidelines and clinical considerations that should be applied to coding these items. The job aids are provided in multiple file types designed for printing, viewing, or sharing electronically. An explanation of the file types is provided in the ZIP file.

GG0130A. Eating, GG0130B. Oral Hygiene, GG0130C. Toileting Hygiene.

• 2021_November.10_LTCH_GG0130 JobAids (ZIP)

Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies

Pocket Guides are intended to assist providers in the assessment and coding of assessment items and provide a quick reference for important terms and definitions that promote coding accuracy. These pocket guides are approximately 2 x 3.5 inches in size and are designed to be worn behind a provider identification badge.

Quick Assessment Reference Pocket Guides / Badge Buddies for Coding

• Pocket Guide #1: Coding for Self-Care and Mobility Items (PDF).
• Pocket Guide #2: Definitions for Coding Section J Fall Items (PDF).
• Pocket Guide #3: Pressure Ulcers/Injuries Stages and Definitions (PDF).

Updates

January 15, 2024

NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE: Frequently Asked Questions Document and Methodology Report for the Screen Positive for Health-Related Social Needs Indicator Confidential Feedback Report (available in HH, IRF, and LTCH)

CMS has released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Document and the Methodology Report to support Home Health, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, and Long-Term Care Hospital providers¹ in better understanding the Screen Positive for Health-Related Social Needs Indicator Confidential Feedback Report. The FAQ document provides responses to key questions about the report. The Methodology Report provides details on the analytical methods used to produce this report and contains a User Guide explaining how providers can review and interpret the results. Both resources are available in the Downloads section below.

These documents are intended to be referenced in conjunction with the Fact Sheet and Educational Webinar materials for the Screen Positive for HRSN Indictor Confidential Feedback Report, which were released in October 2024. To access the Educational Webinar recording video, click on the following link: Online webinar recording. The webinar slides, webinar transcript, and fact sheet are available in the Downloads section below. 

 ¹ CMS plans to release this report to Skilled Nursing Facility providers in October 2025, when a full Fiscal Year of data (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025) will become available for the first time.

September 4, 2024

UPDATED RESOURCE AVAILABLE: From Data Elements to Quality Measures Cross-Setting Web-Based Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides a high-level overview of how data elements within CMS patient/resident assessment instruments are used to construct quality measures (QMs) across post-acute care (PAC) settings. The course also discusses the relationship between these data elements and Quality Reporting Program (QRP) QMs, QM calculation, and how to access reports and use QM data for quality improvement. To access the training, click on the following link: From Data Elements to Quality Measures: Cross-Setting Web-Based Training

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.

August 26, 2024

UPDATED RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Section GG Web-Based Training Series

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering an updated series of web-based training courses that provide an overview of the assessment and guidance to promote accurate coding of the post-acute care (PAC) cross-setting Section GG data elements. Each course contains interactive exercises to test your understanding. To access the courses, click on the links below:

• Course 1: Section GG Data Accuracy and Quality Measures.
• Course 2: Section GG Prior Functioning and Device Use Items
• Course 3: Accurate Coding for GG0130. Self-Care and GG0170. Mobility
• Course 4: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0130: Self-Care Items.
• Course 5: Understanding Admission and Discharge Performance for GG0170: Mobility Items.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.

July 24, 2024

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE:  Patient Mood Interview (Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-2 to 9^©) Video Tutorial

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a video tutorial for completing D0150, Patient Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9) and D0160, Total Severity Score. This video depicts two scenarios that demonstrate the coding of the PHQ-2 to 9 for the purposes of completing D0150, Patient Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9) and D0160, Total Severity Score. Two patient vignettes are depicted, one in which the PHQ-2 is demonstrated and one in which the entire PHQ-2 to 9 is completed. This video can be viewed through the following link: https://youtu.be/_JU7ABmbBGA.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.

July 19, 2024

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: What You Need to Know: PAC QRP Key Program Updates – FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of key updates to the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This targeted training discusses new, removed, and revised quality measures, timelines for public reporting, and measure specifications. In addition, assessment guidelines and coding instructions are presented for a new data element: O0350. Patient’s COVID-19 vaccination is up to date. To access the training, click on the following link: FY/CY 2025 Web-Based Training.

If you have questions about accessing resources or feedback regarding trainings, please email the PAC Training Mailbox. Content-related questions should be submitted to the LTCH QRP Help Desk.

LTCH Quality Reporting Program Archives