10/08/2026

ODH Answers Three MDS Coding Questions

The Ohio Department of Health recently clarified three Minimum Data Set coding scenarios. When a Quarterly assessment and Medicare 5-day PPS assessment share the same assessment reference date and are both the first assessments completed following a resident’s reentry, A0310E should be coded “1, Yes” on both assessments. ODH also clarified that GG0130, Self-Care, and GG0170, Mobility should be coded 01, dependent only when two or more helpers are needed for the resident to safely complete the activity. If a second staff member is present only for observation, witnessing, staff safety or facility policy, coding should reflect the assistance the resident actually needs.

ODH also addressed H0300, Urinary Continence, noting that voluntarily voiding in a brief is not considered urinary incontinence for MDS coding purposes. The MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.20.1 defines urinary incontinence as the involuntary loss of urine, while a voluntary void is considered continence. Nursing home providers may submit future RAI questions to Cheryl Moya, RN, RAI and OASIS Education Coordinator and include “Question of the Month” in the subject line.