OASIS · Section M
M2102 — Types and Sources of Assistance
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item M2102.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | No assistance needed — patient is independent or does not have needs in this area |
| 1 | Non-agency caregiver(s) currently provide assistance |
| 2 | Non-agency caregiver(s) need training/supportive services to provide assistance |
| 3 | Non-agency caregiver(s) are not likely to provide assistance OR it is unclear if they will provide assistance |
| 4 | Assistance needed, but no non-agency caregiver(s) available |
How to score it
Rates the ability and willingness of NON-agency caregivers only (never your own agency staff) to provide assistance, category by category. At SOC/ROC only row f, supervision and safety for cognitive impairment, is collected, based on what's known for the upcoming episode; at Discharge, rows a (ADL assistance), c (medication administration), d (medical procedures/treatments), and f are all collected, based on the caregiver's actual ability/willingness as of discharge. If more than one response could apply, code the one representing the caregiver's greatest barrier to meeting the need. Dash is not a valid response for this item.
The common error
Coding the caregiver's best moment instead of their greatest barrier — CMS requires the response reflecting the caregiver's biggest obstacle to meeting the patient's need (e.g., a caregiver who helps but also needs training is coded as needing training, not as currently providing assistance).
CMS Q&As on this item
- Q168.5.5 Do the responses for M2102 - Types and sources of assistance, reflect the patient’s needs on the day of…
- Q168.5.7 Guidance is clear that for M2102 -Types and Sources of Assistance that “caregiver” refers to non-agency…
- Q170.6 For M2102d - Types and Sources of Assistance; Medical procedures/treatments, do I only include treatments or…
- Q170.7 When completing M2102 - Types and Sources of Assistance for a patient with a Foley catheter, what areas…
- Q170.10 Which category of assistance would taking care of a wound VAC fall under for M2102 - Types and Sources of…
- Q170.11 What is the appropriate response for M2102d - Types and Sources of Assistance; Medical procedures/treatments…
- Q170.12 How is "Assistance needed, but no non-agency caregiver(s) available" defined? Would it apply to a son who at…
- Q170.13 When answering M2102 - Types and Sources of Assistance, do we include the assistance provided to the patient…
- Q170.15 At the SOC, my patient’s children are present. They live out of town and have been staying with my patient…
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item M2102. Verified 2026-04-26.
Nearby Section M items
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