Preparing for OASIS Section GG Public Reporting in 2025: Essential for Home Health Quality and Payment Outcomes

Home health agencies should prioritize understanding and accurately reporting OASIS Section GG items as they play an increasingly critical role in quality and payment metrics. Starting January 1, 2025, CMS will begin public reporting of the Discharge Function Score quality measure, making the accuracy of GG 0130 and GG 0170 assessments essential for home health agencies’ reputations and reimbursement success.

Section GG, which assesses a patient’s functional abilities, is central to multiple quality measures within the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) and will also influence metrics in the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) program. Agencies should ensure that all involved staff understand the details of Section GG, especially the Discharge Function Score, which reflects the patient’s function at the end of a care episode.

Key Areas for Agencies to Focus on for Compliance:

1. Accurate Reporting for GG 0130 and GG 0170: These codes capture self-care and mobility functions, respectively, which are directly tied to a patient’s progress and quality outcomes. Training staff on accurately scoring these items is essential.

2. Understanding Reporting Timelines: January 1, 2025, marks the first date of public reporting for these scores. Preparing now by reviewing current assessment practices can help avoid discrepancies in future data.

3. Interpreting M1800 Functional Items with Section GG: The overlap between M1800 items and Section GG data is critical as both will be referenced within HHVBP and HH QRP. Ensuring consistency in reporting these items will directly influence agency quality scores and financial incentives under HHVBP.

Actionable Steps for Agencies

• Conduct Staff Training: Provide in-depth training for staff on the new requirements for GG items and emphasize their impact on quality reporting.
• Audit OASIS Data: Regular audits on GG 0130 and GG 0170 assessments can help identify and rectify inaccuracies.
• Stay Informed on Guidance Updates: Monitor updates from CMS on HHVBP and HH QRP to ensure ongoing compliance and optimal performance.

With the upcoming shift, accurate and well-understood reporting practices for Section GG can help agencies maximize quality scores and payment outcomes in the year ahead.