Plan to get Oasis certification and ICD-10 knowledge

Farawyn · Mar 25, 2015

I went to a 2 day coding seminar and got like a billion CEUs. But I'm not a Coder. Often times, at least here, they don't use RNs as coders- too expensive.

And I didn't know you could get OASIS certified. I haven't done homecare in about 8 years.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 25, 2015

Moved to AN's Home Health Nursing.

One needs to have experience in home health to effectively assign ICD10 codes and understand OASIS required documentation nuances.

Home Care experience + certification in OASIS + ICD10 = desired Home Health employee at least in Philadelphia PA area.

Pay may be less "you don't have to do any driving" -- saw report average salary ~ $60,000 across US.

Our Utilization Review/Coders have at least 2yrs experience --many with 10+ and have to work one weekend/month to review admits.

Cast Management in Home Health different than Hospital Case Management. With your yrs of experience, working in a home health agency intake office can prepare one to transtion to hospital Case Mgmt. more easily---2 of my staff with 3+ yrs intake transitioned to hospital with ease and make higher salary.

Farawyn · Mar 25, 2015

Are the RNs mostly required to eventually get certified? I just went on an interview for a PD homecare/hospice job and they said I wouldn't have to even do my own codes. At my first home care job I was expected to.

eldragon · Mar 25, 2015

I'm Oasis certified. The test is something like the NCLEX. It's timed and has about 80 very long questions, with multiple questions per question. You only get 90 minutes and you're rushed, to say the least. You need to study for it. Even if you are an expert at Oasis and Home Health, you won't really pass unless you fully understand all the rules and regulations of Home Health nursing. Timelines for care, etc.

I was trained by a former employer that wanted me to code charts, as that is there business. I was also training to be a coder, but didn't really feel like it was the job for me, so I resigned. I never used my Oasis certification either.

I think they paid $200 for me to take the test. I took the test with 2 RN's. I'm an LPN. I passed, and one other RN passed. The other RN failed. We had all been coached.

The test is hard.

But yes, there are companies that hire nurses to code charts for home health agencies they have contracts with.

outside_child · Mar 26, 2015

Eldragon: I am registered with www.oasisanswers.com and I hope and believe that the test will be like they said. There is a workshop and the test is based on everything presented in the workshop so hopefully everything will be ok, then I'm off to take the coding workshop. I saw entries from other forum participants who use this same company and they passed. Hopefully with my applying what I learn in HH orientation, the workshops and the applications of these principles out in the field, I will do fine and try to reach my goal. Working in nursing over 25 yrs in direct care is taking a toll on me physically, and I never was interested in working in management.

Libby1987 · Mar 26, 2015

Are the RNs mostly required to eventually get certified? I just went on an interview for a PD homecare/hospice job and they said I wouldn't have to even do my own codes. At my first home care job I was expected to.

We don't code. Too much riding on the reimbursement.

eldragon · Mar 26, 2015

You should do well on the test. Just be prepared for a lot of questions that have to answered in what seems like a short amount of time! I was about to lose it when I finished the test - and I passed. They tell you a few minutes after you leave the testing room if you passed or failed.

As I remember it, the questions are pretty tricky, too.

PS ...coding was harder but also doable.

eldragon · Mar 26, 2015

This thread prompted me to look at my Oasis Answers certificate, and it's good for 3 years. Good to have, because I have a HH job interview today!

outside_child · Apr 28, 2015

Eldragon, you are exactly right. I completed the oasis workshop. They had a mock test and that convinced me to wait until September to even contemplate taking that test. I may not even take it then LOL. I just started working in HH and this company does not have a lot of patients right now. Still waiting to do a SOC, and I still work PRN in LTACH for now. Guess I had better study study study. Thanks for the input. :sarcastic: