OASIS Broadcast

Expanded HHVBP Model: June 2026 Newsletter 

This newsletter contains information for home health agencies (HHAs) related to the expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model, including Model highlights, training updates, new insights, reminders, resources, and contact information. 

Select the above link to read more.

2027 Home Health Proposed Rule

(Hosted by Healthcare Provider Solutions)

August 3, 2026

11:00  am - 12:00 pm MST

The session reviews the current Home Health Proposed Rule that was released on July 1, which contains rate updates, wage index, case mix weights, etc. Additionally, the proposed rule has significant changes for Provider Enrollment. The Provider Enrollment changes could be significant for both home health and hospice, and we will detail each one beginning to assist you in forming thoughts for submitting comments about this rule! 

Select the above link to register.

De-Escalation & Conflict Resolution Approaches for Families & Care Teams 

(Sponsored by ComForCare Home Care)

August 13, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET

1 CE credit for Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers (MN) & NAB for live session attendees

Conflict and communication breakdowns can derail care plans, strain relationships, and compromise outcomes—especially during care transitions or periods of decline. This highly practical webinar equips care teams with de-escalation techniques, structured communication protocols, and role-play scenarios to manage challenging interactions with families and interdisciplinary partners. 

Select the above link to register.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Older Adults with Depression and Anxiety 

(Sponsored by ComForCare Home Care)

October 8, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET

1 CE credit for Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers (MN) & NAB for live session attendees

Depression and anxiety are frequently underrecognized in older adults, yet they significantly impact functional status, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. Timed with Mental Illness Awareness Week and Pharmacy Month, this webinar highlights evidence-based screening, referral, and intervention strategies to support emotional well-being in aging populations. 

Select the above link to register.

Building High-Performing, Resilient Care Teams 

(Sponsored by ComForCare Home Care)

December 3, 2026 | 2:00 pm ET

1 CE credit for Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers (MN) & NAB for live session attendees

High-performing care teams are the foundation of quality, consistency, and sustainability in aging services. This webinar focuses on practical leadership strategies to build resilient teams through effective coaching, delegation, and performance measurement. 

Select the above link to register.

HCPCS Codes Used for Home Health Consolidated Billing Enforcement: October 2026 Quarterly Update 

Learn about the 19 new HCPCS codes (PDF) CMS is adding to the non-routine supply code list, effective October 1, 2026. 

M1840 Toilet Transferring: Three Coding Concepts Every Clinician Should Know

When assessing and coding a patient’s ability to complete the toileting transfer on the OASIS, clinicians must consider numerous variables. A strong understanding of CMS guidance is essential to accurately determine the correct OASIS response. 

1) If the patient can safely get to and from the toilet and transfer on and off the toilet, they can use the toilet.

• Select Response 0 when the patient completes the task independently, without any human assistance.

• Select Response 1 when the patient requires any level of hands-on assistance, standby assistance, verbal cueing, or reminders. Response 1 is used when the patient requires assistance to get to and from the toilet, or assistance to get on and off the toilet, or if they require assistance to get to and from AND on and off the toilet.

(CMS OASIS Q&As, Category 4b, Q148.2)

2) If the patient can safely get to and from the toilet and transfer with assistance, Response 1 should be selected regardless of caregiver availability.

• M1840 reflects the patient’s ability, not whether assistance is consistently available in the home.

• The code should be based on what the patient is capable of doing with the necessary assistance, not on what they may do out of necessity when assistance is unavailable. For example, this guidance remains true even when the patient, who can get to/from and/or on off a toilet with assistance, uses a bedside commode (BSC) or urinal when a caregiver is not present.

(CMS OASIS Q&As, Category 4b, Q146)

3) Patients with a urinary catheter can still be assessed for M1840.

• Clinicians should evaluate the patient’s ability to get to and from the toilet and transfer on and off the toilet, regardless of whether the patient uses the toilet for urinary elimination.

• The item measures the patient’s toileting transfer ability and can be assessed even when urinary elimination occurs through a catheter.

(CMS OASIS Q&As, Category 4b, Q142)

Maintaining consistency with CMS guidance can be challenging when clinicians are faced with numerous recommendations, edits, and review comments. Achieving accurate OASIS coding requires confidence, critical thinking, and a solid mastery of the guidance.

Beat The Heat This Summer 

Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for people at increased risk for heat-related illnesses. Use the HeatRisk tool to assess heat-related health risks in your area. Learn how to use the tool to support clinical decision-making. Access the quick start guide for clinicians and patient toolkits to help you identify and treat heat-related illnesses. 

CMS Proposes Updates to Strengthen Medicare Program Integrity, Combat Fraud, and Expand Access to Home Health Care 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing new safeguards to ensure taxpayers aren’t on the hook for noncompliant Medicare providers and suppliers, continuing its campaign to crush fraud, waste, and abuse throughout its programs and hold bad actors accountable. 

Select the above link to learn more.

Expanded HHVBP Model IPR Quick Reference Guide (PDF) is a great resource

CY 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule 

CMS issued a proposed rule that announces policy changes under the Home Health (HH) Prospective Payment System (PPS), consistent with the legal requirements to update Medicare payment policies for home health agencies (HHAs) annually.

The proposed rule includes:

• Medicare provider enrollment

• CY 2027 proposed payment and policy updates for HHAs

• HH Quality Reporting Program 

• Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model

• DME benefit expansion for infusion pumps and drugs

• Improvements to the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

• DMEPOS requirements for identical replacement items

Refer to the links below for more Information:

• Full fact sheet

• CMS Proposes Updates to Strengthen Medicare Program Integrity, Combat Fraud & Expand Access to Home Health Care press release

• HHA Center webpage

• HH PPS webpage

Heat-related illness prevention 

Hot weather can affect health across Colorado, even when temperatures do not seem extreme. Total Worker Health means protecting your well-being in every season — including summer. We know many employees like to take their laptops outside or use breaks for a walk. Choose a shaded spot, bring water, limit your time outside during the hottest part of the day, and head indoors if you begin to feel unwell.

Here are four things everyone should know:

1. Hot weather can be dangerous. High temperatures — especially several hot days in a row — can increase the risk of heat-related illness.

2. Know the warning signs. Heat exhaustion can usually be treated early, but heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 911 immediately if someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or has a body temperature above 103°F.

3. Check on others. Stay connected with people in your community. Older adults, people with medical conditions, people who live alone, and people without reliable cooling may need extra support during hot weather.

4. Stay hydrated and stay cool. Drink water throughout the day, take regular breaks, and limit strenuous outdoor activity when temperatures are highest.

Check out CDPHE’s heat and health web page for more information and resources.

CMS Quarterly OASIS Q&As - July 2026