In an instance where the assistance of two or more helpers is required for the patient to safely complete an activity, you would code "01 – Dependent" for the GG0130 (Self-Care) and/or GG0170 (Mobility) activities, CMS clarified in the October quarterly OASIS Q&As — released Oct. 20. 
 
However, CMS adds, if a second person is not required for the patient to safely complete the activity, and is only present due to preference or agency policy, code the activity based on the type and amount of assistance the patient requires to complete the entire activity as independently as possible, as long as they are safe. 
 
This was in response to a question asking how to accurately respond to these items if two agency staff members are present during certain functional activities (e.g., dressing, bathing) due to staff or patient request (for example the patient prefers to not be alone with agency staff or the patient has made false statements about agency staff). 
 
This was one of 10 questions included in the most recent update.  
 
 Additional topics covered in the October release include:     
  • How to answer M1860 (Ambulation/Locomotion) if a patient is able to safely walk on level surfaces with a rolling walker and assistance but is unable to safely negotiate stairs or steps or uneven surfaces, even with assistive devices and human assistance. 
  • How to handle Start of Care (SOC) for a Medicare patient who is admitted for home care services under a non-Medicare insurer as primary and Medicare FFS as a secondary payer. 
  • How a SOC or Resumption of Care (ROC) OASIS should be completed when a nurse unexpectedly leaves the agency before completing their documentation of the visit and leaves some of the OASIS items unanswered. 
For a full story, see the upcoming issues of Home Health Line and Diagnosis Coding Pro for Home Health.   
  
Editor’s note: To view the full CMS October 2026 quarterly OASIS Q&As, visit https://tinyurl.com/32ewjf4y.