M1620 — Bowel Incontinence Frequency
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item M1620.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Very rarely or never has bowel incontinence |
| 1 | Less than once weekly |
| 2 | One to three times weekly |
| 3 | Four to six times weekly |
| 4 | On a daily basis |
| 5 | More often than once daily |
| NA | Patient has ostomy for bowel elimination |
| UK | Unknown |
How to score it
This item scores the frequency of the symptom (bowel incontinence), not its cause. 'On a daily basis' (code 4) means incontinence occurs once per day; more frequent episodes code 5. Code NA if the patient has an ostomy for bowel elimination. The UK (Unknown) option is omitted at Discharge. This item does not address treatment of incontinence or constipation (for example a bowel program) — only how often incontinence itself occurs. Dash is not a valid response for this item.
The common error
Coding based on whether the patient is on a bowel program or other incontinence treatment, rather than the actual observed/reported frequency of incontinence episodes — CMS is explicit that this item does not address treatment, only the symptom's frequency.
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item M1620. Verified 2026-04-26.
Nearby Section M items
The monthly home health regs digest
What CMS changed, what's due next, and what to do about it — one email a month, no fluff.