CMS addresses the conflicting information given in the OASIS-E assessment versus the OASIS-E Guidance Manual for D0150 (Patient Mood Interview) in the April quarterly OASIS-E Q&As, released April 18.
Disregard the statement in the OASIS item that states if symptom frequency for either “D0150A2 (Little interest or pleasure in doing things) or D0150B2 (Feeling down, depressed or hopeless) is coded “2 — 7-11 days (half or more of the days)” or “3 — 12-14 days (nearly every day),” continue asking the questions below. If not, end the PHQ interview.” This statement is outdated due to refinements in OASIS guidance, CMS states.
Instead use guidance from the OASIS-E Guidance Manual which states whether or not further evaluation of a patient’s mood is needed depends on the patient’s responses to the PHQ-2 (D0150A and D0150B), CMS explains.
“In cases where both D0150A1 and D0150B1 [symptom presence] are coded ‘9 — No response (leave column 2 blank)’ or both D0150A2 and D0150B2 are coded ‘0 — Never or 1 day’ or ‘1 — 2-6 days (several days),’ end the PHQ interview,” CMS adds.
CMS also reminds that at times, they will provide new or refined instruction that supersedes previously published guidance. In such cases, use the most recent guidance.
More OASIS-E answers
The April Q&As also include information on the following:
- Guidance for N0415 (High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication) around whether or not to include a medication that was provided in the emergency department if the start-of-care assessment was not completed until after the patient returned home.
- Whether K0520B (Feeding tube) should be coded if a feeding tube is present but it is just used to deliver medications and not for nutritional/hydration purposes.
- Clarification around whether a symptom control rating should be assigned for a code beginning in V, W, X, Y and Z.
For more details on the April OASIS Q&As, see upcoming issues of Home Health Line and Diagnosis Coding Pro for Home Health.
Editor’s note: View CMS’ April 2023 quarterly OASIS Q&As here.