The start-of-care visit sets the tone for the episode. Miss a step and you’re fixing it for weeks. Here’s what has to happen and in what order.
Before the visit
Orders and face-to-face in the chart, eligibility and auth confirmed. Patient and family know when you’re coming. If something’s missing, don’t do the SOC until it’s in place. Starting without an order or with a stale F2F is a denial waiting to happen.
During the visit
Comprehensive assessment, OASIS, and the initial plan of care. The clinician has to see the patient, complete the assessment within the required time (usually same day or within 5 days of SOC date), and get the plan to the physician for signature. Document everything the same day. Leaving OASIS or the plan for “later” leads to errors and late submission.
After the visit
Lock and submit OASIS per your state and CMS rules. Get the signed plan of care into the chart. Schedule the first skilled visits. Experienced DONs use a SOC checklist so the same steps happen every time. Use an intake checklist before start of care so nothing is missed before the visit. Missing one (e.g. unsigned POC, OASIS not locked) creates downstream denials and rework. We have a SOC checklist you can download: before, during, and after so nothing gets skipped. Use the button below to get it.