The July 2026 OASIS Quarterly Q&As was released this week and include two important clarifications that supersede guidance currently found in the OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual. CMS reminds agencies that OASIS guidance may be updated or refined over time. When new guidance supersedes previous instructions, agencies… Read More »2 New Instructions Supersede Previous OASIS-E2 Guidance (July 2026 OASIS Q&A)
OASIS and coding are completed through different processes, but both describe the same patient. When they are aligned, the record more accurately reflects the patient’s condition, functional limitations, and need for skilled home health services. When they are not, inconsistencies can lead to questions and… Read More »OASIS and Coding: Making the Connection
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the CY 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Proposed Rule, offering an early look at the changes that could affect home health agencies beginning January 1, 2027. While the proposed rule includes a… Read More »Breaking Down the 2027 Home Health Proposed Rule
Visit frequency is one of the most scrutinized elements of the Home Health Plan of Care (POC). An inappropriate frequency can compromise patient outcomes, lead to medical review concerns, payment issues, and inconsistencies across documentation. Establishing and maintaining a well-supported frequency requires more than simply… Read More »Home Health Visit Frequency: Documentation Tips and Best Practices
M1033 – Risk for Hospitalization helps identify home health patients who may be at a higher risk of being hospitalized. Because this item influences care planning and risk adjustment, it is important to ensure that every selected response is supported by the assessment and follows… Read More »5 Common Mistakes in M1033 Documentation
M1033 – Risk for Hospitalization is an OASIS-E item presented as a checklist of clinical and behavioral risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of hospitalization during the home health episode of care. Clinicians are instructed to review each risk factor and select all responses… Read More »M1033 Quick Guide for Clinicians
Home health visit notes are more than a regulatory requirement—they are the clinical record that connects patient condition, skilled interventions, and ongoing need for services. They support continuity of care across disciplines, justify medical necessity, and directly impact reimbursement and audit outcomes. For many experienced… Read More »Writing Better Home Health Visit Notes
OASIS documentation isn’t just paperwork—it directly impacts reimbursement, compliance, and patient care. When it is delayed or inefficient, it creates a ripple effect across key processes: care plans are held up, coding and QA are pushed back, and billing cannot move forward. In contrast, a… Read More »Practical Tips for Faster OASIS Documentation
In preparation for the April 1, 2026 implementation of OASIS-E2, CMS has released the final set of materials to support agencies during the transition. Below is a brief overview of what each resource includes. Home health agencies are encouraged to review these documents carefully, as… Read More »CMS Released Final OASIS-E2 Resources
The implementation of OASIS-E2 is just ahead, scheduled for April 1, 2026. Home health agencies should start preparing now, as the changes to data items and guidance can impact workflow, documentation, and reporting. Staying informed about the updates is important for a smooth transition. Here… Read More »Getting Ready for OASIS-E2 Rollout on April 1
