Everything to know about OASIS-E1 changes in 2025
On January 1, 2025, home health providers can expect new OASIS-E1 updates to go into effect. These updates are minor compared to what the industry experienced in January 2023, but it’s still important to understand what’s coming and prepare for the changes that are just months away. These changes include current questions that have been revised or removed, and one new question related to COVID-19.
In this blog, we outline the 2025 OASIS-E1 updates and the steps your organization can take to maintain compliance.
What questions are being changed or eliminated from OASIS-E1?
Due to CMS not using the data since PDGM went into effect, M0110 (Episode Timing) and M2200 (Therapy Needed) are being removed from OASIS-E1.
Instead of just saying discharged to community with formal assistive services, M2420 (Discharge Disposition) will now clarify in the question that formal assistive services in this case is referring only to another Medicare certified HHA or an in-home hospice. This is already current guidance, so this is simply an update to the existing question.
Outlined below are the other items being removed or revised in the OASIS-E1 2025 update.
Tips & tricks: 2025 OASIS-E1
Removed items
- M0110 Episode Timing
- M2200 Therapy Needed
- GG0130 Self-Care (Discharge column only)
- GG0170 Mobility (Discharge column only)
Revised items
- D0150 Patient’s Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9): Wording to now match guidance
- M2420 Discharge Disposition: Wording to now match guidance
- M0102 Date of Physician-ordered Start of Care (Resumption of Care): Skip pattern previously directed to M0110
What question is being added to OASIS-E1?
There is one new item being added in the 2025 update: O0350 Patient’s COVID vaccination is up to date. This question is associated with the COVID vaccine quality measure finalized in the calendar year (CY) 2024 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1780-F). Tied to quality measure, this new question will be reported on the Care Compare website in 2026 (after one year of data).
The intent of this item is to report if a person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine. Here are some things to consider:
- This question is on the Transfer, Death at home, and Discharge assessments
- Information can be obtained from any available source to answer this question including the medical record, patient, family and/or other caregivers or healthcare providers
- If the patient is not up to date, the agency can vaccinate the patient if they have the vaccine available
It will be important for clinicians to reach out to all possible sources to obtain the vaccine status information. This can be obtained from the primary physician, family, even the patient’s pharmacy to see if there is record of vaccine status. The State Department of Health also keeps COVID vaccine records. Keep in mind the clinician will have to answer “no” if the vaccine status can’t be determined.
If there is conflicting information regarding a patient’s vaccination status from available sources, the clinician is expected to use their judgement to determine if the patient is up to date according to the CDC guidance.
What are the coding instructions for O0350?
OASIS-E1 data collection will begin with OASIS assessments having M0090 dates on or after January 1, 2025.
Code “0, No, patient is not up to date” if the patient does not meet the CDC’s definition of “up to date.” This includes patients who have not received one or more recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses for any reason — including medical, religious, or other qualified exemptions. It also includes patients for whom vaccine status cannot be determined.
Code “1, Yes, patient is up to date” if the patient meets the CDC’s definition of “up to date.”
A dash (-) is a valid response, indicating the item was not assessed. CMS expects dash use to be a rare occurrence.
How will these changes impact home health operations?
Due to the removal of questions, the updated OASIS-E1 will likely take clinicians less time. However, researching the COVID vaccination questions might take longer.
Be sure to educate clinicians on these coming changes and new COVID question. States can keep track of COVID vaccination status, so go into 2025 knowing how to access that information.
Ready to learn more about how your partner can prepare you for these regulation changes? Connect with us today and we’ll show you how.
Trish Weber
Early in her career as a registered nurse, Trish realized that her true passion is with the senior population. Consequently, she has dedicated the majority of her 30-year nursing career to long-term care (LTC) and home health settings. Here she has acquired invaluable insights from the perspective of a field clinician and has also contributed significantly to overseeing the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
She possesses extensive expertise in ICD-10 coding and the OASIS instrument, holding certifications in both specialties. This comprehensive knowledge and skill set inform her contributions to the coding department, where she strives to foster continuous growth for the team and its services. By working collaboratively, Trish aims to deliver the highest quality product to enable agencies to shine and receive the full reimbursement they deserve.
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