Can someone explain OASIS to me? Simply what does it mean?

OASIS-data set related to functional assesment and the Medicare reimbursment-at least in Nebraska- is tied to it. The lower the pt. functionality is the highter the reimbursment PPO but the higher the resource utlization(sp?) ie higher SCFO higher PPO payment to the agency-BUT-the more SN/PT/OT/HHA care they need-

OASIS is the larger information set that you collect on admission of a patient. You also do it on Recert, DC, or transfer to the hospital.

There are questions on this assessment that are called MOO questions. These MOO questions are related to the CFS score. C is clinical (for the nurse), F is for functional (the home health aide), the S is service (for the physical, speech or occupational therapist). How the questions are answered by the nurse determines how much money the company is reimbursed for taking care of the patient for 60 days. Medicare placed these requirements on home care agencies in 1997.

These questions also help the agency determine how well of a job that the company has done. They compare the score on admission, to the score on discharge, especially in the functional area. For example: one of the questions is can the patient shower independently, need someone for stand by assist only, need to be bathed in a chair, or totally by bed bath. The admission says "only in chair"............ then at DC its marked "able to shower independently" then your pt condition improved.

I have heard that soon Medicare will be reimbursing on the basis of outcomes..... not on what is determined on admission but at discharge. So its beneficial for the agency to improve the patient condition.


OASIS takes a long time to learn and know how to answer, so dont give up. You will learn it as time goes. But just keep in mind that once you learn it..... Medicare will change it again!


Our CEO told us one time that OASIS meant "Our Attempt to Systematically Inflict Suffering". Once you learn OASIS you will know what he meant !


Hope this helps!!!!

I neglected to also say that OASIS is also done on post hospital.

You can go to www.cms.gov and go to professionals, then home health agencies and find tons of information regarding OASIS.

You are so very welcome!

O-outcome, AS-assessment, I-information, S-set

There is also a web based training program for it and a book called OASIS in Detail-a Clinicians pocket guide. They may help cut through that OASIS fog!