OASIS · Section GG
GG0170M — 1 Step (Curb) (GG Section — Mobility)
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item GG0170M.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 06 | Independent |
| 05 | Setup or clean-up assistance |
| 04 | Supervision or touching assistance |
| 03 | Partial/moderate assistance |
| 02 | Substantial/maximal assistance |
| 01 | Dependent |
| 07 | Patient refused |
| 09 | Not applicable |
| 10 | Not attempted due to environmental limitations |
| 88 | Not attempted due to medical condition or safety concerns |
How to score it
Assess the patient's ability to go up and down a curb and/or one step. If both a curb and a single step are assessed and performance differs between them (e.g., because the step has a railing and the curb doesn't), code based on whichever activity requires the most assistance. A not-attempted code (07/09/10/88) here skips the remaining stair items, but the destination depends on the timepoint: at SOC/ROC and Discharge the assessment jumps ahead to GG0170P, Picking up object; at Follow-up — where GG0170O and P aren't part of the form at all — it jumps ahead to GG0170Q, Does patient use wheelchair and/or scooter? See Guidance Manual Ch. 3 GG item-by-item tips for full scoring rubric.
The common error
Scoring only whichever of the curb or single step was more convenient to observe when both were actually assessed and performance differed — CMS requires using the harder of the two, not the one that happened to be tested.
CMS Q&As on this item
- Q500 How do we assess GG0170 - Mobility activities when the patient doesn’t have equipment? Such as a car transfer…
- Q500.1 If a patient is dependent for all GG0170 bed mobility activities, would it be acceptable to code the patient…
- Q500.2 CMS guidance for the GG0170 walking activities and wheelchair activities state: “The 90-degree turn should…
- Q508 GG0170I, GG0170J, GG0170K, & GG0170L. How would the following walking scenarios be coded: a. Patient…
- Q508.1 GG0170I, GG0170J, GG0170K, GG0170L. During the SOC, the PT initiates treatment by providing a new walker…
- Q514.500 GG0170N & GG0170O. Guidance for the GG step activities discusses how a patient is permitted to take a rest…
- Q517 GG0170Q, GG0170R, & GG0170S. On admission, my patient reported that they only use a wheelchair when they…
- Q5 For the GG0170 walking activities, if a patient does “walk” 10, 50 and/or 150 feet, but is unsafe while doing…
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item GG0170M. Verified 2026-04-26.
Nearby Section GG items
- GG0170ARoll Left and Right (GG Section — Mobility)
- GG0170BSit to Lying (GG Section — Mobility)
- GG0170CLying to Sitting on Side of Bed (GG Section — Mobility)
- GG0170DSit to Stand (GG Section — Mobility)
- GG0170EChair/Bed-to-Chair Transfer (GG Section — Mobility)
- GG0170FToilet Transfer (GG Section — Mobility)
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