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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a sweeping nationwide effort to combat fraud in the hospice and home health care industries by imposing a six-month moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for these providers. The policy, which took effect immediately, is intended to stop fraudulent operators from entering the Medicare system while federal investigators strengthen oversight and enforcement efforts. 

According to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, the agency has uncovered “systemic and deeply troubling fraud” involving vulnerable Medicare patients and billions of taxpayer dollars. During the moratorium period, CMS plans to increase investigations, expand the use of data analytics, and accelerate the removal of providers suspected of fraudulent billing practices. Existing hospice and home health agencies will continue operating, but new applicants and certain ownership transfers will be blocked from enrolling in Medicare. 

Read the official CMS announcement at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-aggressive-nationwide-crackdown-fraud-six-month-hospice-home-health-agency-enrollment

Read the CMS Home Health and Hospice Nationwide Moratorium Q&As at hh-hospice-moratorium-faqs-05112026.pdf