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OASIS Alert

Item Focus:
M2002 and M2004: Meet Three Requirements with Medication Follow-Up and Intervention
Warning: Your time is limited with these items.Medication related issues are a major cause... Read more
OASIS Accuracy:
Establish an Effective OASIS Review Process
Automated audits can save time and money.If your OASIS review process isn't up to snuff, y... Read more
Build Your Own Audit Tool
Building a custom audit tool for your agency can help you gather the most pertinent inform... Read more
What is a Clinically Significant Medication Issue?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services leaves it to the provider's clinical judg... Read more
Tool:
Look Beyond M Items with Auditing
Follow these steps for improved outcomes and quality measures.Your auditing and review eff... Read more
Studies:
Welcome this Newly-Validated Fall Risk Assessment Tool
Look for a boost in your Home Health Compare scores.Have you been frustrated by the lack o... Read more
Outcomes:
Don't Overlook Mental Impact of Trauma on Ambulation Outcomes
Your hip fracture patients are at risk.If you're looking to boost your outcomes for improv... Read more
OASIS Outcome Measures
Improvement in Ambulation/Locomotion is one of nine publicly reported Outcome Measures bas... Read more
Strategy:
Build Confidence To Improve Hip Fracture Therapy
You can help patients "work through their fear of falling" in the following ways, says Kat... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
It's Time to Get Ready for ICD-10
Get started by coding your top 10 or 20 diagnoses in ICD-10.Oct. 1, 2014 is the official I... Read more
Industry Notes:
Industry Notes:
Study Boosts Pneumonia VaccineYour patients may receive better protection against pneumoni... Read more
Item Focus:
M1340: Keep Up On CMS Guidance or Risk Reimbursement for Surgical Wounds
Warning: You can't rely on clinical reasoning and logic for this item.The OASIS wound item... Read more
Avoid This Scarring M1340 Mistake
Make sure you're using the correct 30-day count.As if figuring out which wounds qualify as... Read more
Tool:
Keep this Chart Handy when Answering M1340
Stay up-to-date on OASIS Q&As for greatest accuracy.OASIS item M1340 -- Does this... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
Home Care Providers Give CMS an Earful Over M1024 Changes
Proposed update could reduce payment by an average of $200 per episode.CMS asked for comme... Read more
Take a Closer Look at these Diagnoses On the PPS Chopping Block
Say goodbye to a slew of resolved conditions and hello to less detailed reporting.The chan... Read more
Home Health Quality Reporting:
CMS Proposes Changes to Acute Care Hospitalization Reporting
OASIS data may prove more accurate than claims data, agencies say.The 2013 Home Health PPS... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
3 Steps Lead the Way to Accurate Surgical Wound Coding
Remember: Complications nix aftercare.The surgical wound codes you list in M1020 and M1022... Read more
Industry Notes:
It's Finally Coming: ICD-10 Set For Fall 2014
Don't get too relaxed with one-year delay.If you've been holding off on your ICD-10 implem... Read more
Reader Question:
Is Mammosite a Surgical Wound?
Question: Our patient has a "Mammosite," a device implanted in her lumpectomy site. She re... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to Approach with Kyphoplasty
Question: Is the site resulting from a kyphoplasty procedure considered a surgical wound w... Read more
Reader Question:
Does Tunneling Make the Difference with PICCs?
Question: Are tunneled PICCs considered a surgical wound?Answer: Peripherally inserted cen... Read more
Item Focus:
M1320: Take 3 Steps to Identify the Status of Most Problematic Pressure Ulcer
Hint: You'll list NA in only one situation.Accurately reporting the status of your patient... Read more
OASIS Review:
Correct 3 Mistakes for a Flawless OASIS Review Process
Employ just one tip to save time and money.An effective OASIS review process can boost out... Read more
Tool:
Head Off OASIS Errors with a Case Conference Approach
Stop errors before they start with this strategy.Establishing a weekly case conference can... Read more
Education:
Protect Yourself Against HIPAA Pitfalls
Plus: bone up on coding changes that could impact reimbursement. You can receive vital... Read more
PPS 2013:
Brace Yourself for Major Case Mix Changes
Resolved diagnoses slated for big points changes?The lack of cuts to the prospective payme... Read more
Case Mix:
Watch for Grouper Change with Certain Case Mix Categories in Proposed Rule
Watch for Grouper Change with Certain Case Mix Categories in Proposed RuleThe Centers for ... Read more
Check These V Codes Approved for Use with M1024
The following V codes were included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' l... Read more
Industry Notes:
Industry Notes:
Don't be surprised to see your acute care hospitalization (ACH) outcome data change. CMS p... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Answers to Your Neuro/Emotional/Behavioral Status Questions
Cognitive functioning status won't always relate to confusion status.Question: What is the... Read more
Item Focus:
M0110: Keep Reimbursement Flowing with Accurate Episode Timing
Episodes provided by your agency aren't the only ones to consider when calculating timing.... Read more
Quiz:
Test Your M0110 -- Episode Timing Skills With These Scenarios
Is it safe to answer 'Early' or 'Unknown' for every patient?Think you know how to answer M... Read more
Medical Review:
Prepare for New Focus on OASIS Accuracy
This MAC has your M2030 responses in its crosshairs.Brace yourself for OASIS-related takeb... Read more
Know these Common Types of Elder Abuse
Injuries in the skin folds should arouse suspicion.Injury and weight loss may be obvious s... Read more
Assessment:
Look to the OASIS for Signs of Patient Abuse And Neglect
Home can be a dangerous place for elders. People age 80 and older are abused and negle... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Master Resolved Condition Reporting with V Codes
Secure accurate reimbursement with proper sequencing.Reporting a history V code may seem l... Read more
Industry Notes
If you've been dreading the switch to ICD-10, you're not alone. The American Medical Assoc... Read more
Item Focus:
M2400: Get All the Credit You Deserve for Plan of Care Best Practices
Plus: Find out how to safeguard your agency against dings when you must answer 'No.'OASIS-... Read more
Training:
Looking to Improve Your Case Mix? Correct These 3 Common Errors
Hold regular OASIS training to see a positive impact on case mix -- and reimbursement... Read more
Tool:
Follow These Steps to Find the Right M2400 Response
Clip and save this handy diagram.Not sure how to answer M2400 for your patient? This flowc... Read more
Train and Train Again to Get Case Mix Right
Try this expert technique to improve OASIS accuracy.Once you've studied your agency's case... Read more
Education:
Master Late F2F Encounters
4 scenarios to help clear up your questions.Question 1: True or False? When you generate a... Read more
Clip and Save:
Track Case Mix Variables with This Essential Table
Keep tabs on points for diagnoses, OASIS answers.Calculating case mix points isn't as easy... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Could 2015 Be the Winning Number for ICD-10?
Commenters express strong opinions on proposed delay.Opinions about the upcoming transitio... Read more
Industry Notes:
Industry Notes:
The feds want some things to change in home care, the HHS Office of Inspector General indi... Read more
Item Focus:
M2250: Get All the Credit You Deserve for Plan of Care Best Practices
Work from 'NA' to 'Yes' to make the right response selection.When the Centers for Medicare... Read more
Tool:
Simplify Plan of Care Synopsis with a Fax Template
Streamline your orders requests with this handy form.Getting the orders you need to take c... Read more
Medical Review:
Bolster Documentation to Keep Long-Stay HTN Claims Secure
Do you know which OASIS data items can help you prevent HTN denials?If you're listing an u... Read more
Corrections:
Make Changes to OASIS Assessments Correctly or Pay a Heavy Price
Recent fraud case underscores the importance of a compliant correction policy.Incorrect OA... Read more
ICD-9 Coding:
Don't Risk Case Mix Points for CAD
Know CABG status to nail CAD code. You can earn case mix points in M1020/M1022 when re... Read more
ICD-10:
Secure Angina Pectoris Details for CAD in ICD-10
Help clinicians improve chest pain documentation.Once ICD-10 goes into effect, you'll have... Read more
Industry Notes
Have you been puzzling over how to collect and submit OASIS data with a missed Face-to-Fac... Read more
Cover Your Bases with a Solid Correction Policy
What will you do when the assessing clinician is unavailable to sign off?A workable OASIS ... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Read into 'Or' with Moist Wound Healing
Question: OASIS item M2250g asks whether the physician-ordered plan of care includes press... Read more
Item Focus:
M2030: Don't Miss Points for Injectable Medications
Tip: Safe disposal of needles or syringes counts for this item. It's difficult to garner ... Read more
OASIS Guidelines:
Banish These SOC OASIS Misconceptions
Not every visit made to complete the comprehensive assessment and OASIS is billable. Accu... Read more
Tool:
Improve OASIS Data Collection with an Assessment Form
Conducting the comprehensive assessment is complicated enough without worrying about how ... Read more
Assessment:
Boost Outcomes When You Evaluate Confused Patients
Begin your dementia screening with OASIS. Are you too quick to assume a patient is being ... Read more
ICD-9 Coding:
Keep Manifestations in Order or Risk Coding Accuracy
Know these index cues to find the right manifestation code. An update to the Home Health ... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Master ICD-10 Manifestation Coding
Welcome these diabetic manifestation coding changes. You'll be happy to learn that the gu... Read more
Industry Notes
CMS Proposes One-Year Delay For ICD-10 Been wondering how to make contingency plans since... Read more
Reader Question:
Who Can Sign Orders?
Question: We have operated under the guidelines that a physician must sign all home healt... Read more
Reader Question:
Put Initial Assessment First
Question: I have a question about the order of visits in a new episode when there are phy... Read more
Item Focus:
M1840 and M1845: Don't Overlook Toileting Tasks
Patients with ostomies needn't managing the equipment to score as independent in hygiene.... Read more
Medical Review:
Avoid Therapy CERT Errors Or Risk Denials
Report only therapies the patient receives at home in M1030. It's no surprise that inadeq... Read more
Process Measures:
Take a Team Approach to Medication Management
Non-compliance with medications isn't always willful. Ineffective medication management i... Read more
Try These Medication Management Strategies
An occupational therapy referral may help your patient manage his medication better. Ever... Read more
ICD-9 Coding:
Let Etiology and Behavior Documentation Guide Dementia Coding
Take note of sequencing rules for 294.1x. You can be relatively certain that a dementia d... Read more
Compliance:
Will Lax OASIS Submissions Earn Your Agency a 2 Percent Penalty?
New OIG report questions home health data collection and reporting practices. If you have... Read more
Industry Notes
Expect medical review scrutiny in some new areas, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid... Read more
Item Focus:
M1810 and M1820: Don't Miss These Details in Dressing Assessments
Tip: Take advantage of physical assessment of the heart and lungs to evaluate abilities n... Read more
Try These Dressing Assessment Approaches
Even little reminders impact the correct dressing response. Assess your patient's dressin... Read more
Take a Closer Look at How OASIS Dressing Items Impact Reimbursement
When combined with a Neuro diagnosis, these items can fetch up to eight clinical severity... Read more
Assessment:
Are Cultural Disconnects Tanking Your Pain Outcomes?
A stoic patient may be masking pain. Your answers to the OASIS pain items are being share... Read more
Use 'Preserve-Accommodate-Repattern' for Better Outcomes
Try the LEARN technique to establish better pain management. You can have a positive impa... Read more
Try Using the Pain Interview Approach
Ask probing questions to better understand pain. Many common pain assessment tools miss t... Read more
ICD-9 Coding:
Save Time and Improve Coding Accuracy with These Simple Steps
Try streamlining processes with a coding worksheet. The documentation you provide your co... Read more
Make Changes by The Book
Always thoroughly document the rationale for changes to the OASIS. Before a coder changes... Read more
Quality:
Implementation Makes the Difference in Reducing Rehospitalization
Accountability is the key to success with this outcome. Nearly 20 percent of Medicare pat... Read more
Industry Notes
Preventing falls is one of the measures stressed in this year's National Patient Safety G... Read more
Clip-&-Save:
Improve Communication with This Coding Worksheet
Tool gives coders all the information they need for accurate code assignment. Setting a s... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider these M1016 Regimen Change Scenarios 'NA'
Question: The response-specific instructions for M1016 -- Diagnoses requiring medica... Read more
Item Focus:
M1610: Fine Tune Your Approach to Incontinence Assessment
Drainage tube or pouch? Your response can depend on this detail. You could be missing out... Read more
Try These Incontinence Intervention Strategies
Did you know: Incontinent patients experience more frequent falls? As a patient advocate,... Read more
Therapy:
Safeguard Claims with OASIS-Centered Therapy Documentation
You may have good assessment information, but do you know how to mesh it with the OASIS? ... Read more
Clip and Save:
Streamline Discharge Data-Gathering with this Look Back Tracking Tool
Even if you don't use this form as a printed sheet, it can still guide your processes. Th... Read more
OASIS Guidance:
Welcome Integumentary Instruction With Manual Updates
Manual changes minimal, but help provide consistency. With the new year comes a new OASIS... Read more
ICD-9 Coding:
Keep a Close Watch on Vision Coding
Your patient may have a visual deficit but that doesn't mean you should list a 369.xx. Yo... Read more
Medical Review:
Prevent Denials with OASIS Keys
Proving medical necessity gets trickier in second and later episodes. One way to protect ... Read more
Documentation:
Nail Down Home Care Benefit Eligibility
Use this checklist from one HHH MAC to guide your eligibility assessments. Before you con... Read more
Industry News
Who will you be completing OASIS assessments for in coming years? You can look to a new s... Read more
Reader Question:
Know When a Homebound Patient can Receive Outpatient Therapy
Question: We are a small home health agency and we don't offer speech therapy. We have a ... Read more
Item Focus:
M1242: Watch Non-Verbal Cues for Accurate Pain Assessment
Pain medication doesn't automatically mean your patient has interfering pain. You could b... Read more
Know When Past Pain Is Pertinent
Discontinuing an activity is one form of "interfering" with activity. The Centers for Med... Read more
Assessment:
Dig Deeper to Gather Pain Details
Increase your vocabulary to help patients describe their pain. Getting an accurate pictur... Read more
Training:
Correct Pain Discrepancies to Improve Accuracy and Patient Care
Do you know what qualifies as severe pain? Assessing a patient's pain is just the first s... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Mitigate the Pain of Pain Diagnosis Coding With These Tips
Don't assign a pain diagnosis code for every patient in pain. When your patient's OASIS ... Read more
Therapy:
Fix Therapy Documentation Disconnects with 3 Expert Tips
Work together to get documentation in synch. Therapy use continues to garner scrutiny in ... Read more
Integumentary:
Try Your Hand at a Tricky M1308 Scenario
At Recert, it's safe to answer "0" in Column 2 if you've answered "0" in Column 1. OASIS ... Read more
Documentation:
5 Guidelines Yield Audit-Proof Record Corrections
Documentation clarifications can be a big help -- if you use them wisely. With the p... Read more
Medical Review:
Avoid Late Entry Red Flags
When does a clarification hurt instead of help? Don't let the fear that your OASIS won't ... Read more
Industry Notes
Don't expect to have an episode's worth of lag time when switching over to the new prospe... Read more
Item Focus:
M1830: Don't Count on Interviews to Assess Bathing Ability
Are time constraints negatively impacting your agency's bottom line? You can earn up to s... Read more
4 Tips to Clean Up Bathing Assessments
Try these strategies for accurately answering M1830 -- Current ability to wash entir... Read more
Get the M1830 Case Mix Breakdown
OASIS bathing ability item M1830 earns additional case mix points for a response of "2" o... Read more
Quiz:
Put Your M1830 Skills to the Test
Does preference impact bathing ability? How well do you know your way around M1830 -... Read more
Integumentary Items:
Keep Pressure Ulcers in a Row for M1308
Column 2 asks whether the ulcer was present -- don't let a change in stage trip you ... Read more
Tool:
Check Your Pressure Ulcer Answers at a Glance
Not all unstageable pressure ulcers are unmeasurable. Responding to the OASIS pressure ul... Read more
Q&As:
Update Your Pressure Ulcer Answers with the Latest from CMS
The OASIS-C pressure ulcer items are some of the most difficult to answer. Fortunately, t... Read more
ICD-9 2012:
ICD-9 2012ICD-9 2012: Master New V Codes, Complication Codes and More
New guidelines warn against coding complications "just because." The 2012 update marked t... Read more
Human Resources:
Help Your Employees Buy In To Change
Tip: Explaining why the change is necessary is essential for managers. The home care indu... Read more
Industry Notes:
Beware Falls Problems For Patients With Poor Eyesight
You should consider putting your patients who have diminished eyesight on the watch list ... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Who Can Sign the F2F
Question: Who exactly is authorized to sign the face-to-face document? A co-worker believ... Read more
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