M1032 and M1034 replace the dreaded life expectancy OASIS item. Each patient assessment with inaccurate data chips away at your agency’s risk adjustment score. That can make you look bad in comparison to your competitors. In OASIS C, prognosis items M1032 (Risk…

Check out latest CMS ‘errata’ document. Don’t incorporate errors in your staff training. Stay on top of OASIS C clarifications and corrections from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It’s good to repeat key points in your OASIS training. “OASIS C…

Following these steps will make M2010 and M2015 easier to answer. Here’s the most important question to ask yourself about each of the patient’s medications: “Is there a good reason for not stopping this medicine?” Two new OASIS C process measures will…

Critical decision: Which OASIS to use. Question: How do we know when to use OASIS B-1 and when to use OASIS C? Answer: Look to M0090 (Date assessment completed) said Deb Deitz, with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contractor Abt…

Receive your rightful reimbursement with a case management approach to diagnosis coding. Even if you have the most accurate coder in the world, if the clinician’s answers and medical record documentation don’t support the choices in M1020 (Primary diagnosis), M1022 (Other…

CMS’ Care Transitions project is beginning to show results. As if OASIS C changes weren’t enough to contend with, you soon can expect a change to how you login to the OASIS data collection system. “To comply with [Centers for Medicare &…

Sedation and swallowing disorders can be unintended consequences. Use your OASIS C assessment medication review as an opportunity to prevent pneumonia,improve compliance and reduce hospitalizations. Recent research suggests those caring for elderly patients may need to balance risks when using inhaled corticosteroids…

Best bet: Start by learning what stage each item asks about. Pressure ulcers could be your agency’s downfall on OASIS C, costing you in reimbursement and outcomes. Don’t expect to make an easy transition from OASIS B-1 to OASIS C when it…

Tip: “Date of assessment” includes 24-hours preceding home visit. Surprise! OASIS C clarifications already contradict the Guidance Manual. Don’t rely only on the OASIS C Guidance Manual the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Oct. 9. Questions and answers – released…

Find out what your time frame is for assessing fall risk. Don’t stop with the question and responses. Read further for the item intent and response specific instructions. Scenario: During your comprehensive assessment of Mr. Jones, you address each of the items…