On December 16th, the final version of the OASIS-E1 Final Guidance Manual was released, outlining significant changes that will take effect starting January 2025. This update marks a crucial step in the evolution of OASIS data collection, impacting home health agencies across the country.
Key Changes:
Item Updates:
- One new item has been added to the OASIS assessment.
- Two items have been removed due to their limited relevance in OASIS calculations.
- Three existing items have undergone revisions.
- The skip pattern for M0102 has been updated.
Manual Revisions:
- Minor revisions were made to Chapter 1 of the manual, including the addition of a paragraph from the OASIS Q&A and an example involving a Medicaid-certified Pediatric Home Health Agency.
- Section 1.5.1.1 was updated to include information about All-Payer OASIS.
- Examples from the OASIS Q&A were added to address scenarios involving pediatric patients who transition to adulthood.
OASIS-E1 Implementation Timeline:
- January 1, 2025: OASIS completion for all patients, regardless of payer, becomes voluntary.
- July 1, 2025: OASIS completion for all patients, regardless of payer, becomes mandatory.
Important Considerations:
- OASIS is not required for all patients. Patients receiving only home health aide services, non-skilled home health aide services, or homemaker services are exempt from OASIS collection.
- This requirement applies to all patients seen under your Medicare-certified agency, regardless of their payer source (e.g., private pay, workers’ compensation).
Preparing for OASIS-E1:
To ensure your agency is fully prepared for the upcoming changes, it is highly recommended to begin preparations by March 2025. This proactive approach will allow your staff ample time to:
- Review the updated OASIS-E1 Final Guidance Manual thoroughly.
- Train staff on the new items, revisions, and skip patterns.
- Update internal procedures and workflows to accommodate the new requirements.
- Test your electronic health record (EHR) system for compatibility with the OASIS-E1 changes.
- Address any potential challenges and implement necessary adjustments.
By proactively addressing these changes, home health agencies can ensure compliance with the new OASIS-E1 requirements, maintain accurate data collection, and continue to provide high-quality care to their patients.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice. Please consult the official OASIS-E1 Final Guidance Manual and seek guidance from relevant experts for specific questions and guidance related to your agency’s unique circumstances.
