Event Registration
MDS Principles - May 20255/14/20258:30am5/15/20253:30pm
Venue
Register
MDS Principles
Hybrid Format
This program will be offered in a hybrid format meaning you can attend in-person or virtually. Please use the registration buttons above or below to register for your preferred session.
Note: Registering for this hybrid event grants you live access only.
Program Description
The MDS Principles program is for MDS Coordinators or Nurse Assessment Coordinators (NACs) starting their careers in MDS. Participants will gain the knowledge needed to ensure successful and accurate implementation of MDS 3.0 data elements while coding the MDS 3.0. This program will cover all sections of the MDS utilizing the item rationale, steps of the assessments, coding instructions, coding tips, examples, and planning for care in the MDS 3.0 User’s Manual. The MDS Principles program will review criteria to ensure proper reimbursement of OBRA and PPS assessments, optimal outcomes, and quality care. The program will cover the MDS triggers utilized in the CAA process and discuss person centered care plan requirements. Learners will identify the basic scheduling requirements of OBRA and PPS assessments and gain the knowledge and skills to accurately identify, understand, and schedule various MDS 3.0 assessments. The PDPM (Patient Driven Payment Model) is used for Medicare reimbursement in a SNF. This program will review the PDPM components and the MDS data elements related to those components.
Who Should Attend
- MDS Coordinators
- Social Services
- Nurses
- Business Office Staff
- Administrators
Location
BCG Education Center
Iowa Health Care Association
1775 90th St
West Des Moines, IA
Schedule
May 14-15, 2025
May 14
8:30 AM Registration/Check-in
9:00 AM MDS Data Elements
12:00 PM Lunch (provided in-person)
12:30 PM Care Area Assessments (CAAs)
2:00 PM CAAs to Care Planning
3:30 PM Adjourn
May 15
9:00 AM OBRA/PPS MDS Assessment Scheduling
10:00 AM Basic Medicare requirements
12:00 PM Lunch (provided in-person)
12:30 PM Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)
3:30 PM Adjourn
Continuing Education Credit
This program is approved for 12 contact hours for:
- Nurses (IBON provider #166)
- Social Services
- NF Administrators
Registration Fees
Members: $295 per person
Non-Members: $885 per person
Speaker

Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, QCP, DNS-CT started her Registered Nurse career in acute care, where she spent 20 years in various settings, including oncology, orthopedics, and ICU. In 2010, she started working part-time in a local 60-bed SNF/LTC, which supported culture change and person-centered care. She eventually took over both the MDS coordinator and Director of Nursing position there, and for 10 years Kristine was successfully able to combine those roles. She was also able to teach CNA classes at a local community college, which allowed her to incorporate culture change into CNA training with real-world applications. With this experience, Kristine became an expert at managing quality measures, case mix and reimbursement, resident-centered care planning, and surviving and thriving through the survey process. This career path has allowed her to transition into her current position with MDS Consultants, where she is responsible for system management and the role of Assistant Director of Education.

Jessica Stucin, RN, BSN, LHNA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, QCP is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience, primarily in long-term care. She began her career in critical care and has since held roles such as Clinical Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, and MDS Coordinator. In 2022, she joined the MDS Consultant team, bringing expertise in MDS, care planning, clinical reimbursement, quality measures, and more. She earned her BSN in 2020, completed Ohio’s Core of Knowledge program, and became a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Jessica holds multiple certifications from AAPACN, including RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, and QCP. She also serves as a Master Trainer for AAPACN’s RAC-CT certification program.