OASIS & OT : The Connection

Learner Outcomes

At end attendees will:

• Have good Introduction to OASIS and scoring
• Know current insurance guidelines
• Know & be able to articulate OT’s Role in OASIS
• Have 2-3 reasons why OT should conduct as much OASIS as possible to advocate for / display the value of OT in home health.

Abstract

The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OAsIS) has been used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) since 1999 to collect data on home health adult clients and the services provided by home health agencies. This data is utilized overall to ensure standard quality care is provided by agencies across the nation. It is also utilized to determine Medicare (and thereby most all other insurance companies) reimbursement rates and to compare home health agencies' data points against other agencies.

The main component of the OAsIS data collection is a group of questions based on how a client iscurrently functioning in basic activities of daily living and their overall cognitive and emotional abilities. Occupational therapists, based on our scope of practice / skills / knowledge, are the most well-equipped discipline on the home health team to address all aspects of the OAsIS data collection.

Yet home health administrators, insurance companies, and OTs ourselves undervalue what we are able to contribute and this leads to inaccurate OAsIS scoring which in turn could lead to less reimbursement and lower comparability scores.

This course, using CMS guidelines, current literature, and a mix of case studies and group discussion is meant to be an introductory course on accurate functional OAsIS Scoring, current CMS guidelines concerning OTs and OAsIS, our professions' role in OAsIS scoring within our home health branch/agency, and a call for OTs to advocate for our clients and ourselves through OAsIS and our role within home health.

Biography

Chad Spear, OTR/L : LHC Group Home Health . He is a branch preceptor and guides and coaches new hires and current employees in accurate OASIS data collection.

Andrea Jones, PT, COS-C : Enhabit Home Health . After many years in home health as a PT, she is currently a certified OASIS Specialist and clinical educator.

References to support evidence-based practice
Code of Federal Regulations : 42 CFR 484.55 ; https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/section-484.55.

Morgan, Rod OTD, MS, OTR, BSBA, OTR/L; Madigan, Elizabeth A. PhD, RN, FAAN. Comparing Functional Status Oasis Ratings Between Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Registered Nurses in Home Healthcare.

Home Healthcare Now 36(4):p 247-251, July/August 2018..OASIS-E Guidance manual: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/oasis-e-guidance-manual51622.pdf.