When a patient is able to walk a given distance in the GG mobility items, but is unsafe while doing it, the clinician should code it “not attempted,” according to the latest Quarterly OASIS Q&As, released April 21, 2026.
CMS provided this and other clarifications in response to 14 questions that also addressed using AI software to populate OASIS items, as well as updated guidance around reporting major falls.
One questioner asked for the appropriate response on GG0170I-L when the patient does, in fact, walk 10, 50 or 150 feet, but is unsafe while doing it.
CMS noted that the items should be scored based on the type and amount of assistance required for the patient to complete the activity as independently as possible, as long as they are safe.
“If the patient does not participate in ambulation for the entire stated distance for a specific GG0170 walking activity or if the assessing clinician determines that a walking activity is unsafe even with the assistance of one or more helpers, then consider the walking activity to not have been completed, and use the appropriate ‘activity not attempted’ code,” CMS notes.
Other responses include:
AI for support. CMS reiterates its stance that the clinician can’t use AI to “answer” or “generate” the final responses for the OASIS items. “Following agency policies, the assessing clinician is responsible for considering available information and ensuring the appropriate OASIS item response(s) were selected, within the appropriate timeframe and consistent with data collection guidance,” CMS notes.
Examples of fall injuries. An agency can reformat the presentation of the OASIS items to provide the clinician with examples of major injuries that are not currently included in the OASIS. Recent updates to J1900 included replacing actual examples of major injuries with a note to see examples provided in the OASIS Guidance Manual.
It’s up to the agency if it wants to include the examples in addition to the OASIS items. “While the item language and response options may not be modified, reformatting of the presentation of the item is left to the user’s discretion, as long as such modification is presented in a way that makes it clear which items (assessment questions and response options) are part of the OASIS, and which are not,” CMS states.