OASIS · Section A
A1005 — Ethnicity
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item A1005.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | No, not of Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish origin |
| B | Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano/a |
| C | Yes, Puerto Rican |
| D | Yes, Cuban |
| E | Yes, another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin |
| X | Patient unable to respond |
| Y | Patient declines to respond |
How to score it
Check all categories that apply — the patient may select more than one Hispanic/Latino origin. Ask the patient directly; if the patient cannot respond, a proxy or the medical record may be used (code X alongside whatever the proxy indicates). If the patient declines to respond, code Y alone.
The common error
Coding based on proxy or chart documentation after the patient has already declined to respond. CMS requires Y (Patient declines to respond) stand alone in that case — a proxy's guess or a chart note never overrides an explicit decline.
CMS Q&As on this item
- Q660 A1005, A1010, A1110, & A1255. A number of items in section A (A1005 - Ethnicity, A1010 - Race, A1110 -…
- Q660.500 A1005, A1010, A1255, B1300, D0700. If a patient is confused and consistently does not respond appropriately…
- Q661 A1005, A1010, A1110, A1255, B1300, & D0700. Can information collected prior to Start of Care/Resumption of…
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item A1005. Verified 2026-04-26.
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