Final OASIS-E2 Guidance Materials from CMS Now Available

by Megan Bernier, MSPT RAC-CT COS-C

CMS posted final material ahead of the April 1, 2026 implementation of OASIS-E2.

OASIS-E2 Instrument

CMS posted the final versions of the All-Item instrument as well as the time point versions for OASIS-E2 to the HHQRP OASIS Data Sets webpage. Note: there are several important changes that have been made to the final instruments since their draft postings, including the updated Fall Injury item descriptions for J1900B and J1900C, and the addition of A1110 – Language to the resumption of care time point.

OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual

An updated and final version of the OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual was posted to the download section of the HHQRP OASIS User’s Manual webpage. The Manual includes a substantial 50-page appendix that “details the changes in guidance from OASIS-E1 to OASIS-E2”.

CMS OASIS Q&As

To align with the OASIS-E2 implementation, CMS has also posted updated February 2026 versions of the CMS OASIS Q&As on the QTSO website. Category 1 through Category 4 have been updated to revise or retire more than fifty Q&As.

With such substantial changes to both the manual and the Q&A resource documents, providers are encouraged to consider refreshing the OASIS guidance materials your clinicians are using to ensure your agency is up to date and prepared for success in accurate OASIS data collection.

For comprehensive training for OASIS-E2, and to receive refreshed and organized guidance materials join us at an upcoming Blueprint for OASIS Accuracy workshop. The March 2026 Blueprint workshop in Baltimore is offered as part of the 2026 COS-C/CHS-C Conference, where sessions on use of AI to support OASIS & HOPE coding and auditing will also be offered.

Purchase the 2026 OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual in a convenient hard copy format.

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