The HEDIS^® Care for Older Adults (COA) measure supports safer, more coordinated care for D-SNP Members age 66 and older. Each year, these Members should receive a medication review and functional status assessment to help Providers identify risks, support independence, and address care needs early.

Annual medication reviews help confirm that medication lists are accurate and that Members understand how to take their medications safely. This is especially important for Members taking multiple prescriptions or over-the-counter medications, which can increase the risk of side effects, interactions, duplicate therapies, and missed doses.

Why COA matters

Functional status assessments help identify changes in daily living before they lead to falls, hospitalization, or loss of independence. Providers should assess Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, toileting, and walking, as well as Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), such as shopping, transportation, meal preparation, housekeeping, medication management, managing finances, and using the phone.

Document care clearly

Complete documentation helps show that COA services were provided. For medication reviews, include evidence that the review was completed by a prescribing practitioner or clinical pharmacist, along with a signed and dated current medication list. If the Member is not taking medications, clearly document that in the record.

A note that medications were “reviewed and reconciled” is not enough on its own; the medication list must be included to support the review.

For functional status assessments, document what was assessed and the Member-specific findings. Avoid general statements such as “functional status reviewed.”

Documentation tips for success

Documentation must include:

• Medication review completed by an MD, DO, NP, PA, or PharmD
• Current medication list signed and dated by the appropriate practitioner
• Documentation that the member is not taking medication, if applicable
• Properly documented Transitional Care Management services, when applicable

Make COA part of routine care

Care teams can support COA completion by adding these assessments to routine workflows, visit planning, electronic medical record templates, and standard documentation prompts.

COA also supports Medicare quality performance and Star Ratings by helping ensure care is captured clearly and accurately.

Key takeaway

A complete medication review and functional status assessment can help Providers identify risks early, support independence, and prevent more serious concerns tomorrow.