OASIS-Central

Q: OASIS-C does not require dates of onset or exacerbation of diagnosis. However in the CMS-485, the dates of onset or exacerbation are indicated. What do we do if the software program does not ask for onset or exacerbation?

A: The original instructions for completing the CMS-485 plan of care included reporting the date of onset or exacerbation of diagnoses on every plan of care. Because the CMS-485 is often generated from details on the OASIS-comprehensive assessment, many OASIS assessment vendors included these prompts within their forms or software. In 2007, CMS removed these instructions, allowing agencies to determine their own guidelines for generating the plan of care (as specified within the Conditions of Participation). However, because changed or exacerbated diagnoses support the need for skilled home care services, having them available in the documentation helps to support reimbursement. Because there is no mandate to include these dates within the OASIS or plan of care, an agency with vendor-related restrictions might determine alternate mechanisms of recording the details.