OASIS-Central

Q: Is it now required that Medicare-certified agencies must complete an OASIS on all patients regardless of pay source?

A: There have been no new requirements modifying Section 704 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which temporarily suspended OASIS data collection for non-Medicare and non-Medicaid patients. While a comprehensive assessment must be performed on all patients receiving skilled services in a Medicare-certified home health agency, the comprehensive assessment must include OASIS items for all Medicare, Medicaid (including waiver and demonstration programs), and Medicare or Medicaid managed care patients with the following exceptions: patients under the age of 18, patients receiving maternity services, patients receiving only chore or housekeeping services, patients receiving only personal care services, and patients for whom Medicare and Medicaid insurance is not billed.

Editor’s Note: This Q&A has been updated and clarified based on reader questions. Thank you for your comments!