What is OSCAR Data?
Online Survey, Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) is a data network maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in cooperation with the state long-term care surveying agencies. OSCAR is a compilation of all the data elements collected by surveyors during the inspection survey conducted at nursing facilities for the purpose of certification for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. OSCAR is the most comprehensive source of facility level information on the operations, patient census and regulatory compliance of nursing facilities. Data elements collected on CMS forms 1539, 671, 672, 673 and 2567 are included in the OSCAR data. The OSCAR database includes the nursing home operational characteristics and aggregate patient characteristics for each facility. Onsite evaluations are conducted by state survey agencies. The findings of these surveys are entered into the OSCAR database. The evaluations occur at least once during a 15-month period, or as a r
