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OASIS:

OASIS Manual Update May Change Your Ulcer Coding

Published on Tue Jan 04, 2011

Prepare for ulcer coding conflict between OASIS, ICD-9 guidance. Coding for ulcers is never easy, but a recent clarification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid helps lay to rest one common question. Can you describe a healed stasis ulcer as newly epithelialized? The answer is no, according to the OASIS C Guidance Manual, updated in December 2010. The latest version of the manual includes the following new information at M1334 (Status of Most Problematic [Observable] Stasis Ulcer): "Once a stasis ulcer has completely epithelialized, it is considered healed and should not be reported as a current stasis ulcer. The response option 'Newly epithelialized' should not be selected for a healed stasis ulcer, as a completely epithelialized (healed) stasis ulcer is not reported as a stasis ulcer on OASIS." This clarification clears up a matter that has caused confusion since OASIS C went into effect, says OASIS expert Trish Twombly, [...]
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