CMS is delaying the release of the updated version of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) needed to support the Transfer of Health (TOH) Information Quality Measures and new or revised Standardized Patient Assessment Data Elements (SPADEs) in order to provide maximum flexibilities for providers of Home Health Agencies (HHAs) to respond to the COVID-19 Pubic Health Emergency (PHE).
The release of the updated version of the OASIS will be delayed until January 1st of the year that is at least 1 full calendar year after the end of the COVID-19 PHE. For example, if the COVID-19 PHE ends on September, 20, 2020, HHAs will be required to begin collecting data using the updated versions of the item sets beginning with patients discharged on January 1, 2022. CMS Oasis Data Sets
"The current assessment instruments that IRFs, LTCHs, and HHAs use to submit data to meet the requirements of their respective QRPs do not include the data elements that these providers need to report the TOH Information Measures or the SPADEs that we previously finalized for data collection beginning either October 1, 2020 for IRFs and LTCHs or January 1, 2021 for HHAs."
"We have developed updated assessment instruments that include these new data elements, and under our current implementation timeline, we would be in the process of training providers on how to operationalize them. Each of these providers would also be in the process of training their staffs on how to use the updated versions, as well as working with their vendors to make programming changes necessary to implement them timely."
"However, we want to provide maximum flexibilities for these providers to respond to the public health threats posed by the COVID-19 PHE, and to reduce the burden in administrative efforts associated with attending training, training their staffs and working with their vendors to incorporate the updated assessment instruments into their operations."
"Accordingly, we are delaying the release of updated versions of the IRF Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI), LTCH Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation Data Set (LTCH CARE Data Set), and HHA’s Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Instrument to reduce the burden that these providers would otherwise incur as a result of being required to incorporate the updated versions into their operations before October 1, 2020 (for IRFs and LTCHs) or January 1, 2021 (for HHAs)."
"This delay will enable these providers to continue using the current versions of their assessment instruments, with which they are already familiar."
"HHAs will be required to use OASIS-E to begin collecting data on the two TOH Information Measures beginning with discharges and transfers on January 1st of the year that is at least 1 full calendar year after the end of the COVID-19 PHE. For example, if the COVID-19 PHE ends on September 20, 2020, HHAs will be required to begin collecting data on those measures beginning with patients discharged or transferred on January 1, 2022."
"We will also require HHAs to begin collecting data on the SPADEs beginning with the start of care, resumption of care, and discharges (except for the hearing, vision, race, and ethnicity SPADEs, which would be collected at the start of care only) on January 1st of the year that is at least 1 full calendar year after the end of the COVID-19 PHE."
"We believe that these delays will give IRFs, LTCHs, and HHAs enough time to operationalize the updated versions of their respective assessment instruments, including taking any necessary training and ensuring that their vendors can make appropriate programming updates."
"We plan to release the drafts of the new instruments again for these programs shortly CMS-5531-IFC 162 after the COVID-19 PHE ends to provide ample time for training and any vendor programming."
©2020 by Rowan Consulting Associates, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO. This article originally appeared in Home Care Technology: The Rowan Report. Click here to subscribe. It may be freely reproduced provided this copyright statement remains intact. editor@homecaretechreport.com