How does a skilled nursing facility get reimbursed by Medicare? Interview by Kathleen D. Schaum.

Skilled nursing facility wound care nurses should do their part to thoroughly and accurately complete the MDS for each patient. They should remember to manage the wounds aggressively from day 1. They should also remember to consider the total cost of care rather than the cost of a dressing, drug, or piece of equipment. These wound care nurses should coordinate care with wound care physicians and HOPDs when patients require their services. Finally, SNF wound care nurses should take time to read and learn the surgical dressing and negative-pressure LCDs to ensure that they obtain the proper orders and that they follow the utilization and documentation guidelines required for Medicare Part B coverage of these products.