SA and RO Roles and Responsibilities

2202.14 - SA and RO Roles and Responsibilities (Rev. 1, 05-21-04) 2202.14A - State (Rev. 1, 05-21-04) The CMS expects the SA to play a key role in providing the educational and technical resources to HHAs in each State concerning OASIS. States must designate an OASIS Automation Coordinator and OASIS Educational Coordinator to function as resources for the HHAs in each State. These positions are funded by CMS through the Medicare Survey and Certification program. Each State Automation Coordinator must have the ability, through education, training, or experience, to provide for the statewide administration of the OASIS project. The State Automation Coordinator provides systems operations and technical support for the HHAs, vendors, and SA staff. The State OASIS Educational Coordinator must be a member of any professional discipline operating in the home health environment, that is, a social worker, registered nurse, occupational therapist, or physical therapist. Together, the functions of these two positions include providing training and educational support to HHAs in the administration of OASIS for: • Integrating the OASIS items into the HHA assessment process; • Answering questions on the clinical aspects of OASIS; • Training HHAs on the OASIS data set administration; • Providing information about hardware and software requirements for HHAs to consider when automating OASIS; • Training HHAs on submission of OASIS data to the State and interpreting validation reports, including providing support for transmission of test data during start-up, supporting callers requesting technical assistance, providing passwords to HHAs, and answering questions about computer edits and reports; • Submit an annual training report of the state-wide OASIS training and other activities in the Home Health Training Worksheet available in Casper reports of the QIES system by October 15 following each Federal Fiscal Year. • Using the outcome reports generated by the OASIS data; • Using OASIS data in survey tasks; • Training other SA staff, as applicable; • Providing information from OASIS to determine prospective payment rates for HHA patients; and • Participating in training updates on OASIS and related home health issues. 2202.14B - Regional Office (Rev. 125, Issued: 10-31-14, Effective: 10-31-14, Implementation: 10-31-14) ROs also have OASIS coordinators for the implementation updates and automation of OASIS. Designated RO staff provides information about OASIS in the region, act as a resource to the provider and a consultant to the SA. They also administer survey and certification funds, and other aspects of the OASIS project. At least one RO staff person, knowledgeable about home health survey and certification issues, and/or knowledgeable about MDS automation coordination should be assigned to these OASIS related roles. ROs must provide the States with the program guidance and technical assistance critical to the successful implementation of OASIS and ensure that the States have the necessary resources to accomplish these goals. The following activities are performed by the RO: 1. Budget Process The RO reviews each SA’s budget request and the required OASIS Implementation Plans in accordance with the SCG Budget instructions. The RO must monitor for a reasonable and prudent expenditure of funds to ensure that States receive a fair and reasonable allocation. The RO must monitor Quarterly Expenditure Reports against the States’ allocation. 2. Review State Implementation Plans The RO annually reviews all State OASIS Implementation Plans to ensure States have reasonable plans for assisting HHAs with the technical information, training, and assistance needed to comply with requirements for OASIS submission, accuracy, privacy, and security. The RO must assess whether States are monitoring HHA compliance with the OASIS requirements. 3. Review Contracts and Agreements The RO ensures that the SA has executed an agreement with any other entity if that other entity is operating the OASIS system on behalf of the SA. The RO must use the criteria in §2202.12.B in performing this review. 4. Provide Training and Technical Assistance The RO supports CO in training and technical assistance to the States in OASIS and ASPEN requirements and supports OASIS continuing education and program requirements. 5. Perform Focused Reviews/Federal Surveys The RO uses the OASIS Repository and outcome data to select HHAs for focused reviews, and in preparation for Federal surveys. 6. Take Enforcement Action. The RO processes and carries out enforcement actions for non-compliance with OASIS requirements (as reported by SAs).