Coding SLP to perfection

In PDPM, your SLP case-mix group is determined by just four questions. The trick is making sure each one is captured before the 5-day assessment locks.

Here’s how to keep future assessments accurate — and your rates where they should be:
1. Acute neurologic condition?
— Confirm diagnosis coding in Section I matches hospital documentation.
2. SLP-related comorbidity?
— Review the 12 qualifying conditions in the medical record during intake.
3. Cognitive impairment (BIMS ≤ 12 or CPS ≥ 3)?
— Double-check BIMS scoring before finalizing the MDS.
4. Swallowing disorder or mechanically altered diet?
— Align MDS Sections K0100 and K0510 with dietary and speech therapy notes.

Each “yes” moves a resident higher on the SLP payment group table — and those steps can be built into your admission checklist so they happen automatically going forward.

Take a look at how an SLP Patient moves from SA to SL category, gradually increasing their Daily Rate for Billing.

After 100 days, a correctly billed SL CMG could be a $16k difference over an incorrectly billed SA.

While I try remembering these categories myself, using an acronym like ASCS (pronounced “Asks”), I find it easier to use tools online…

Want a checklist you can start using tomorrow?

→ Take a look at our pdpm-calc.com at hopforce.com for more info