Home Health Therapy: Using OASIS, Updated

Course Description: Therapists currently working in or planning to work in home health agencies must have an understanding of the significance of process and outcomes measurement. The Outcome and ASsessment Information Set (OASIS) is a specific assessment and outcomes measurement instrument that consists of 90 items or questions and measures patient data at various times during the patient’s stay in home care. Mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, OASIS data must be collected on Medicare and Medicaid patients at various times during a patient’s stay in home care. Therapists must be aware of the time sensitive and accuracy requirements related to documentation, OASIS updates, and the level of compliance and denials their agency experiences. Feedback related to documentation compliance and any denials will help therapists to refine and improve utilization of the tool for both improved patient outcomes and optimum reimbursement. (Note: For agencies that do not provide skilled services to Medicare or Medicaid patients, the therapist should refer to agency-specific required assessment, documentation, and billing tools that record plans of care, services delivered, and capture information in order to obtain payment.)