DAVE is back!

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Data Assessment Validation (DAVE) process will be re-implemented this very spring season of 2006.

The re-instituted program, dubbed DAVE 2, requires RN's knowledgeable in the MDS process to perform reviews of coding done on MDSs, in order to verify the integrity of MDS entries that, among other values, results in reimbursement claims. Sixty facilities (approximately 2.7% of the overall number) will be targeted nationally for DAVE 2 visits.

Moreover, CMS has directed Fiscal Intermediaries to collect revenue from providers as a result of the earlier DAVE 1 audits that were conducted up to Spring 2005, and before DAVE 1 was discontinued.

Although the data findings from DAVE audits are reportedly to be utilized to evaluate the impact of Quality Indicators, RUGs and care planning, the greatest impact on providers will likely be that of take back under the PPS/RUGs III reimbursement system.

The implications are clear. CovetCare addresses the implications.

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