The Ohio Department of Health’s July 2026 Question of the Month offers useful clarification on three MDS coding issues that can trip up providers. First, ODH confirms that for GG0130, Self-Care and GG0170, Mobility admission items, providers may use assessment findings gathered during the first three days of a resident’s Medicare Part A stay, beginning with the date entered in A2400B, Start of Most Recent Medicare Stay. In the example provided, therapy and nursing assessments completed on the first three days of the stay could be used for coding, even though the 5-day PPS MDS had a late assessment reference date. ODH also cautioned that if the assessment reference date for the late assessment was not set while the resident was still in the Medicare Part A stay, the facility may not complete the assessment.
ODH also addressed two additional coding questions. Rectal tubes and fecal bags are not captured in H0100, Appliances, and when a rectal tube is present for the full seven-day look-back period, H0400, Bowel Continence should be coded as 9, not rated. For M1200E, Pressure Ulcer/Injury Care, ODH said treatment may be coded even when it was provided outside the facility, including at a wound clinic, so long as it occurred after admission, within the look-back period, and is supported by verifiable documentation such as physician orders, treatment records, or clinic notes. Providers with future questions may contact Cheryl Moya at the Ohio Department of Health with “Question of the Month” in the subject line.