DAL 10-09 - Minimum Data Set (MDS) Version 3.0 Section Q Designation of Local Contact Agencies

September 21, 2010

DAL: HCBS 10-09
RE: Minimum Data Set (MDS) Version 3.0 Section Q Designation of Local Contact Agencies

Dear Administrator:

As you are aware, the MDS Version 3.0 is scheduled for implementation on October 1, 2010. This letter is to inform you of changes to Section Q.

Section Q of the MDS Version 3.0 has been revised so that all nursing home residents are periodically assessed to determine the feasibility of, and interest in discharge to the community. The assessments must be completed upon admission to the nursing home, quarterly, annually and whenever there is a significant change requiring a reassessment. If it is determined feasible, and the nursing home resident expresses interest in returning to the community, the nursing home must make a referral to a designated local contact agency within ten business days (see chart below). When contacting the local contact agency, please specify that it is for a MDS or Section Q referral. You may refer to the CMS RAI Version 3.0 Manual for additional instructions regarding Section Q.

The New York State Department of Health has designated the following agencies as local contacts for Section Q implementation. These agencies currently have contracts with the NYS Department of Health for the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Identification of and Outreach to Nursing Home Residents Project.

Agency Service Provision Area Contact Information
Southern Adirondack Independent Living
(Glens Falls Independent Living Center)
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga,
Warren, Washington
(518) 792-3537
(518) 792-0979 (FAX)
Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie (518) 274-0701
(518) 274-7944 (FAX)
Southern Tier Independence Center, Inc. Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego,
Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins
(607) 724-2111
(607) 772-3606 (FAX)
Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming (716) 836-0822
(716) 835-3967 (FAX)
Suffolk Independent Living Organization
(Self Initiated Living Options)
Nassau, Suffolk (631) 880-7929
(631) 946-6377 (FAX)
Westchester Independent Living Center Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester (845) 228-7457
(845) 228-7460 (FAX)
Center for Disability Rights Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca. Wayne, Yates (585) 546-7510
(585) 697-1676 (FAX)
ARISE Child and Family Service, Inc. Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence (315) 472-3171
(315) 472-9252 (FAX)
St. Mary's Hospital for Children Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond (631) 755-1818
(631) 752-0536 (FAX)

Should you have any questions, please contact Tracie Crandell, Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project Director, via e-mail at: txc06@health.state.ny.us or via telephone at: (518) 474-6580.

Sincerely,

Mark Kissinger
Deputy Commissioner
Office of Long Term Care