Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Reporting Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Data as Part of the Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies

Section 4602(e) of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 authorizes the Secretary to require that home health agencies (HHAs) submit any information that the Secretary considers necessary to develop a reliable case mix system. This interim final rule with comment period requires electronic reporting of data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) as a condition of participation for HHAs. Specifically, this rule provides guidelines for HHAs for the electronic transmission of the OASIS data set as well as responsibilities of the State agency or HCFA OASIS contractor in collecting and transmitting this information to HCFA. This interim final rule also sets forth rules concerning the privacy of patient identifiable information generated by the OASIS. The requirements of this interim final rule with comment period are necessary to establish a prospective payment system for HHAs and to achieve broad-based, measurable improvement in the quality of care furnished through Federal programs.