OASIS-E2 Update You Might Have Missed: New Dash Guidance for D0150

by Megan Bernier MSPT RACT-CT COS-C

D0150 – Patient Mood Interview has allowed the use of a dash in Column 1 – Symptom presence since the item was added to OASIS in 2023. A dash in Column 1 was indicated if an agency did not ask the patient about the presence of a symptom.

More recently, CMS also indicated that a dash should be used in Column 1 when the Patient Mood Interview was not able to be completed due to an unplanned discharge.

But what about Column 2 – Symptom Frequency?

Until the implementation of OASIS-E2, effective April 1, 2026, a dash was not an allowed response for Column 2. Now clinicians can code a dash in the symptom frequency column of the interview, but CMS cautions this should be used in the rare situation that the patient cannot provide a frequency for a symptom that they indicated as “present”.

This isn’t a change that was highlighted through any of the recent Q&As. In fact, if you weren’t paying close attention to the Guidance Manual revisions or the OASIS-E2 technical specifications, it might have been easily missed.

For a more in-depth look at changes impacting accurate OASIS coding consider joining OASIS Answers at the Quarterly OASIS Update on April 22nd or at an upcoming Blueprint for OASIS Accuracy program.

Stay up to date on new CMS information related to HHVBP and OASIS accuracy.

• Follow OASIS Answers on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn
• Sign up for our email list for regular updates and resources