RFA Codes (01–09)

The Reason for Assessment (RFA) is recorded in M0100 and identifies the type of assessment being completed. The RFA determines which OASIS items must be completed at that timepoint, the applicable completion window, and how the record is processed for payment, quality measurement, and transmission to iQIES.

RFA 01 — Start of Care (further visits planned) — is selected when the patient is being admitted to home health services and a comprehensive assessment is completed. The M0090 (Date Assessment Completed) must fall within 5 calendar days after the SOC date.

RFA 02 (Start of Care — no further visits planned) was eliminated in OASIS-C effective January 1, 2010. The code is no longer accepted by the OASIS submission system, and agencies should not use or transmit RFA 02 records.

RFA 03 — Resumption of Care (after inpatient stay) — is required when the patient returns to the agency from a qualifying inpatient stay of 24 hours or longer for reasons other than diagnostic testing. M0090 must be within 2 calendar days of the patient's return home or knowledge of the return.

RFA 04 — Recertification (follow-up) — is required when the patient continues to receive home health services beyond the current 60-day cert. M0090 must fall in the last 5 days of the current cert period (days 56–60).

RFA 05 — Other Follow-Up — is used for follow-up assessments that are not tied to the recertification window, such as a major decline in patient status during the cert that warrants a new comprehensive assessment outside of an inpatient transfer.

RFA 06 — Transferred to Inpatient Facility — Patient Not Discharged from Agency — is used when the patient is admitted to an inpatient facility for 24 hours or longer for reasons other than diagnostic testing, and the agency intends to resume care upon return. M0090 must be within 2 calendar days of learning of the transfer.

RFA 07 — Transferred to Inpatient Facility — Patient Discharged from Agency — is used when the patient is transferred to an inpatient facility and the agency simultaneously discharges the patient. RFA 07 closes the cert. M0090 must be within 2 calendar days of learning of the transfer.

RFA 08 — Death at Home — is used when the patient dies at home (or in any non-inpatient setting). M0090 must be within 2 calendar days of the date of death. RFA 08 closes the cert.

RFA 09 — Discharge from Agency — Not to an Inpatient Facility — is used for any discharge that is not a transfer (RFA 06/07) or a death at home (RFA 08). M0090 must be within 2 calendar days of the discharge date.