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OASIS Alert

Assessment:
KEY TO OASIS C PRESSURE ULCER ASSESSMENT: TRAIN RIGHT AWAY
Best bet: Start by learning what stage each item asks about. Pressure ulcers could be you... Read more
Policies & Procedures:
USE THESE 5 AGENCY ACTIONS TO EMPOWER CLINICIANS
Tip: “Date of assessment” includes 24-hours preceding home visit. Surprise... Read more
Education:
CLINICIANS: TAKE THIS FALL RISK ASSESSMENT CHALLENGE
Find out what your time frame is for assessing fall risk. Don't stop with the question an... Read more
Diabetic Ulcers:
PUT YOUR BEST EFFORT INTO DIABETIC ULCER ID AND PREVENTION
Simply saying a wound is a diabetic ulcer isn't enough. Diabetic ulcers hurt the patient,... Read more
Inservice:
PREPARE STAFF FOR RAPID CHANGES
What to do first: OASIS C, Coding, or PPS? OASIS C complexities and other home health ... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
GET READY FOR DIAGNOSIS CODING CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1
Watch for V code overuse, CMS warns. In the chaos of preparing for OASIS C, don't forget ... Read more
News You Can Use:
USE OASIS C TRAINING CALLS AND VIDEOS FOR FREE INSERVICE.
CMS provides 3 "Train the Trainer" calls. Transitioning to OASIS C is going to be costly,... Read more
Reader Question:
DISCOVER THIS SUBTLE DIFFERENCE IN WORDING IN OASIS C
This abbreviation means you can consider other relevant examples for that item. Question:... Read more
OASIS C Prep:
FOR OASIS C SUCCESS, MAKE THE MANUAL YOUR BEST FRIEND
Give each clinician a copy of Chapter 3 if you want to survive the transition. Get ready ... Read more
Test Your OASIS Savvy ...
Scenario: You are discharging a patient on Jan. 2, 2010, at the end of his second episode... Read more
Reimbursement:
3 STEPS STANDARDIZE YOUR REHAB DOCUMENTATION AND STOP DENIALS IN THEIR TRACKS
Painting a complete therapy picture could prevent $1,100 losses -- and more. If you poorl... Read more
Regulatory Update:
DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO COMBAT RECENT INCREASES IN DENIALS
OASIS C isn't the only current challenge agencies face. Don't take denials lying down. Ap... Read more
Inservice:
PREPARE STAFF FOR RAPID CHANGES
What to do first: OASIS C, Coding, or PPS? OASIS C complexities and other home health ... Read more
Education:
DON'T BE THROWN BY WHAT 'FLU SEASON' MEANS IN OASIS C
Consult Q&As already available for OASIS C. If you answer "yes" to M1040, better make... Read more
Fall Risk:
WITH ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION RISK, TRY THESE INTERVENTIONS
Don't forget this common fall risk factor in M1910 and M2250. Beginning with the Jan. 1, ... Read more
News You Can Use:
FINAL 2010 HH RATES RISE -- BARELY
Don't get too comfortable. Congressional action could cut rates in near future. Here's a ... Read more
OASIS C:
UPDATE YOUR OASIS C DATA SET WITH YET ANOTHER FINAL VERSION
Find out how closely your OASIS C form should match CMS'. Don't bother to print a huge st... Read more
Process Measures:
IT'S FLU SEASON: TIME TO UPDATE YOUR VACCINE PROCEDURES
OASIS C will measure and report your vaccination rates. The 2009-2010 flu season official... Read more
Staff Training:
PREPARE FOR OASIS C BEFORE THE HOLIDAY MADNESS HITS
ICD-9-CM codes change Oct. 1. Use these cost-effective sessions for your OASIS C prep ... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
4 SEQUENCING TIPS WILL SPARE YOU CODING HEADACHES
Sequencing and severity may not go handin-hand in home care diagnosis coding. The Centers... Read more
Quality Improvement:
START BY CREATING YOUR OWN IMMUNIZATION PROTOCOL
Make use of extensive QIO resources. You need not reinvent the wheel: this sample immuniz... Read more
News You Can Use:
HERE'S ONE WAY TO PREDICT MORTALITY RISK AFTER ACS
Depression screening can save lives. Patients who are hospitalized for acute coronary syn... Read more
Reader Question:
WHAT EFFECT WILL OASIS C HAVE ON OUTCOME MEASURES?
Look for further information this month. Question: The OASIS C data set has changed so mu... Read more
OASIS C:
Keep Your Focus On OASIS C Processes To Stay Profitable
Expect surveyor scrutiny of new assessments and interventions. Major OASIS changes could ... Read more
Assessment:
5 TIPS FOR TACKLING OASIS C NOW
Think twice before answering "no" to process assessments. Transitioning to OASIS C by Jan... Read more
Reimbursement:
Prepare For New Supplies Edit
You may be erroneously upcoding your NRS payment. Don't use a fifth digit swap as an unof... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
IS YOUR DIABETES CODING A MEDICAL REVIEW MAGNET?
Learn the five fourth digits for 250.xx you should avoid. The number of home care patient... Read more
News You Can Use:
MEDICARE PROPOSES 2 PERCENT INCREASE TO HHA RATES IN 2010
OASIS proposed as condition for payment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service... Read more
Staff Training:
You Have No Time to Loose: Prepare Now For OASIS C
Also learn how to survive therapy audits. Simplify your OASIS C prep for the Jan. 1 de... Read more
Education:
Bill Correctly For Unexpected Hospitalization
Consider PEPs before discharging early. Scenario: A patient admitted to your home health ... Read more
Reader Question:
CHECK INTACT BLISTER WOUND STATUS
Distinguish between nonhealing and unstageable. Question: How do I score the healing stat... Read more
OASIS C:
Gear Up For Final OASIS 12.4 Pressure Ulcer Assessment.
Begin focusing on OASIS C details right away. Now that the final OASIS C assessment form ... Read more
Therapy:
Address These 5 Issues With Therapists -- And Reap Rewards.
In predicting therapy use, focus on patient need. Incorporating therapy more consistently... Read more
Inservice:
IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR OASIS C TRAINING
OASIS C preparation now will save you stress and money later. With only about four mon... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Use Detective Skills To Find Effects Of Low Vision.
Answering M0390 is just the beginning for low vision coding. If you're looking for more c... Read more
Assessment:
Upgrade Your Falls Risk Assessment -- Cross One Item Off Your OASIS C 'To Do' List.
Before you start: Consult the experts -- your therapists. A patient's fall is not a ... Read more
Education:
Be Sure You Are Answering M0090 Correctly.
Scenario: As part of the assessment in a physical therapy-only case, the therapist collec... Read more
News You Can Use:
Check Out Local Hospitals' Readmission Rates To Improve Your Rehospitalization Score.
Diabetes case management study disappoints proponents. Home health agencies often find th... Read more
Reader Question:
Take A Closer Look At M0210.
Did you know? Codes required in M0240 may be optional in M0210. Scenario: We are doing a ... Read more
OASIS C:
CLEAR SPACE ON YOUR LATE FALL SCHEDULE FOR OASIS C WHIRLWIND
Software vendors are next on OASIS C plan. Home health agencies looking to the Centers fo... Read more
Test Your OASIS Savvy ...
Scenario: Your patient is routinely admitted to the hospital for planned chemotherapy. Qu... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
GEAR UP FOR A SLEW OF NEW ICD-9 CODES IN OCTOBER
New diagnosis codes could provide additional case mix codes. If you've felt like your inf... Read more
Staff Training:
JUMP-START YOUR OASIS C TRAINING
Prepare now for new ICD-9 codes. You run the risk of being blown away by the coming OA... Read more
Falls Prevention:
8 OASIS ITEMS HELP YOU PREDICT FALLS RISK FACTORS
Here's how to use your OASIS assessment more effectively. Take advantage of data you alre... Read more
Research Studies:
2 FALLS RISKS YOU MAY HAVE OVERLOOKED
Add these risk factors to your falls risk assessment. If your patient uses a walker but h... Read more
Education:
FOLLOW OASIS WORDING CAREFULLY FOR DATA ACCURACY
Which are the important words in M0100: "planned" or "diagnostic testing?" Scenario: Your... Read more
News You Can Use:
HIGHLIGHT SUICIDE RISK WITH MEDICATION REVIEW
Hypnotics, not antidepressants to blame, report reveals. A new study underscores one more... Read more
Quality Improvement:
FOR OASIS SUCCESS, DISSECT CHANGES BEFORE YOU MAKE THEM
Learn how to tell which innovations might work in your agency. The upcoming transition to... Read more
Assessment :
M0826 DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXACT BUT IT SHOULD BE CLOSE
Auto-upcoding provides backup to your estimate for payment accuracy. If your clinicians a... Read more
OASIS C :
GET READY NOW FOR INCREASED PRESSURE ULCER SCRUTINY
Don't wait until fall to streamline your assessment and treatment processes. CMS is inclu... Read more
Inservice :
PREPARE YOUR STAFF FOR PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION
OASIS C preparation now will save you stress and money come September.. Pressure ulcer... Read more
Tools :
PRESSURE ULCER RESOURCES SAVE YOU TIME AND WORRY
Find a complete online toolbox at your fingertips If you aren't using these pressure ulce... Read more
Education :
DON'T LET M0030 CONFUSION ADD TO YOUR OASIS WORKLOAD
Start of care is not the same as first visit Remember OASIS data collection has its own v... Read more
M1300 :
BEWARE OF ASSESSMENT SCALE LIMITATIONS
Be sure you don't overlook these five pressure ulcer risk factors? The pressure ulcer ass... Read more
News You Can Use :
HERE COME 141 NEW ICD-9 CODES EFFECTIVE OCT. 1
The Centers forMedicare &Medicaid Services has issued 141 new diagnosis codes for you ... Read more
Reader Question :
HOW TO BENCHMARK CASE MIX TRENDS
Be sure you understand who you are using as a comparison. Question: How do we go about fi... Read more
OASIS C :
YOUR KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE NEW PROCESS MEASURES
Examine these areas to plan your strategy. You may not know what the item instructions ar... Read more
Education :
KEEP UP WITH M0 CLARIFICATIONS FOR OASIS ACCURACY
Remember OASIS data collection has its own vocabulary. Scenario: You admit an elderly wom... Read more
Adverse Events :
IMPROVING REHOSPITALIZATION RATES CHALLENGES HHAs
Don't expect providers' interests to coincide. Rehospitalization is frequent, costly, and... Read more
Inservice :
JOIN AN OASIS C TRAINING EXPERT TO JUMPSTART YOUR EFFORTS
Here’s one more pressure ulcer risk you may not have considered. Pressure ulcers... Read more
Relevant Research :
HELP YOUR AGENCY SURVIVE BY FOCUSING ON COSTS
Medications may cause cognitive decline. Researchers have found a key difference between ... Read more
Diagnosis Coding :
3 STEPS CLEAR YOUR OASIS ATTACHMENT D CONFUSION
Complete M0246 in only 3 scenarios. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services h... Read more
News You Can Use :
HHAs RELY SIGNIFICANTLY ON NON-HOSPITAL REFERRALS
Negative pressure wound therapy wins kudos. Beneficiaries who need help with three or mor... Read more
Reader Question :
IF SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS CONFLICT, LOOK TO FEDERAL LAW
When you get the right signature, be sure it's also in the approved format. Question: Can... Read more
Assessment :
USE THIS ADVICE TO PREPARE FOR OASIS C
Contractors and CMS addressed these major concerns in recent OASIS C session. Following i... Read more
OASIS C :
STRETCH YOUR TRAINING DOLLARS WITH THESE 4 TIPS
Learn how to improve clinician buy-in. The OASIS C clock is ticking, so start planning no... Read more
Reimbursement :
ONE DENIED THERAPY VISIT CAN COST YOUR AGENCY $600
These 3 trigger points require special attention. Good care that is poorly documented can... Read more
Diagnosis Coding :
ARE YOU THROWING AWAY CASE MIX POINTS?
Follow these steps to correct reimbursement. The diagnosis codes listed on your OASIS ass... Read more
Education :
THIS SURGICAL WOUND ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU
Counting wounds is not as easy as it seems. Scenario: The patient has a surgical incision... Read more
Documentation :
HOW TO GET PAID FOR THE THERAPY YOU PROVIDE
Use these strategies to document for success. Just showing progress does not prove med... Read more
News You Can Use :
PILOT PROJECT ADDRESSES CARE TRANSITIONS
CARE tool connects with OASIS C. Home health agencies in 14 states,including Michigan, Lo... Read more
Test Your OASIS Savvy ...
Scenario: The patient has a surgical incision and the staples have been removed.The incis... Read more
Reader Question :
DEHISCED WOUND OR ULCER: HOW DO YOU TELL?
OASIS wound classifications continue to confuse clinicians. Question: We have a patient w... Read more
OASIS C:
SURPRISE! THE 'FINAL' OASIS C INSTRUMENT IS OUT
Time to get cracking on OASIS C staff training. As of April 1, you have 275 days to prepa... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
BE AWARE OF 2 MORE CORRECTIONS TO ATTACHMENT D
But CMS is not finished yet. You might find it easier if you think of the OASIS assessmen... Read more
Quality Improvement:
IMPROVE YOUR OUTCOMES WITH THESE FREE TOOLS
Transition guides bring families onto your team. If you're trying to improve transition p... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
UNDERSTAND OASIS/CODING FUSION TO RECOUP YOUR DESERVED PAY
For accurate results, don't stop with the first pass. If you accept poor documentation wi... Read more
Education:
WHEN DO TWO STASIS ULCERS BECOME ONE?
Accurate records can save the day onM0470. Question: The patient has a large venous stasi... Read more
Staff Training:
FIND OUT IF ATTACHMENT D IS CORRECT AT LAST
Tune in and improve wound care outcomes. You can receive targeted up-to-date informati... Read more
Test Your OASIS Savvy ...
Question: The patient has a large venous stasis ulcer that includes two dark areas in the... Read more
Research Studies:
AGGRESSIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT SPEEDS POSTOP RECOVERY
Elder abuse study may surprise you. Teaching patients how to get up after falls should be... Read more
News You Can Use:
HOME HEALTH COMPARE MEASURES DROP IN 2008
Like the economy, Home Health Compare's national averages show declines. From the beginni... Read more
Reader Question:
SKIN GRAFT VERSUS APLIGRAFT: ARE BOTH SURGICAL?
Question: We are wondering what to call a leg ulcer -- related to sickle cell diseas... Read more
Training:
Use 5 Steps To Kick Start Your OASIS-C Preparation
Analyze your processes now to avoid last-minute headaches. OASIS-C is fast approaching... Read more
Assessment:
Put Depression On Your Radar Screen
New form forces clinicians to gauge mental health, too. While the new OASIS-C will increa... Read more
Clip & Save:
Monitor Your OASIS-C Progress With This Handy Checklist
Ask these vital questions to measure your compliance success. OASIS-C demands that you as... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Clear Up Confusing Diagnoses With These Basic Coding Steps
Decoding this tricky op note can be a whiz with the right tools. If you can't distinguish... Read more
Continuing Education:
Expert Advice is At Your Finger Tips
It’s never too late to take advantage of OASIS guidance. We’re in a new ... Read more
You Can Shut Your Agency's Doors At Night
You are not your patients' only resource for care during off hours. Your patients may nee... Read more
Education:
Make The Call To Collect 'Death At Home' Data
Your clinicians don't need to collect all data face-to-face. When a patient dies or trans... Read more
Reimbursement:
Don't Miss Out On Therapy Pay
Use this chart to double check your PPS reimbursement. Even slight inaccuracies could aff... Read more
Industry Notes:
CMS GIVES PROVIDERS AN EXTRA
New coding system target date is 2013, according to final rule. If you were concerned abo... Read more
Reader Question:
Here's How To Stage Your Patients' Healing Wounds
Don't 'downstage' your patients' pressure ulcers. Question: A patient entered our care wi... Read more
Regulations:
CMS Gives Up On M0175 Recovery Efforts
HHAs can breathe easier -- unless the OIG comes knocking. CMS is ready to end the controv... Read more
Assessment:
Watch Out For These Potential Hospice Warning Signs
Good news: You don't have to give up on hospice patients. If you've wondered whether your... Read more
Training:
6 Expert Tips Will Get You Ready For OASIS-C
Warning: You may need to take your documentation processes back to the drawing board. You... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Clear Up Your Staph Coding Confusion
Read the fine print or you may be reporting 'MSSA' when you mean 'MRSA.' You have a whole... Read more
Education:
You Aren't Chained To The Calendar For Surgical Wounds
You don't have to know exactly when a surgical wound healed. If a post-surgery patient tr... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
2 Rules Make Staging Codes For Multiple Wounds A Breeze
You don't need to repeat staging codes to recoup deserved reimbursement. OASIS demands th... Read more
OASIS News:
HHAs Finally Get A Look At Attachment D
Plus: New research could give seniors more independence. Home health agencies have new gu... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow This Plan For Dating Your POC
Locator 25 is your saving grace when physicians forget to add a date. Question: Often, ou... Read more
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