In the M0102 field, what does it indicate?

• A. Date of physician-ordered start of care only
• B. Date when services are ordered
• C. Date of physician-ordered Start of Care/Resumption of Care
• D. Date of the nurse's confirmation

Answer: (C)

The date recorded in this field is the moment the patient officially begins home health care under a physician’s order, either as the initial Start of Care or as a Resumption of Care after a lapse. This date marks the official start of the home health episode and is used to determine when services begin, track episode timing, and establish eligibility. It isn’t just the date services are ordered, and it isn’t the date the nurse confirms care. If care starts for the first time, record the Start of Care date; if care resumes after a gap, record the Resumption of Care date. So the date of physician-ordered Start of Care/Resumption of Care best captures the intended meaning.