In July of 2017, CMS proposed payment changes for Medicare Home Health Agencies. The proposed payment change included a change in the unit of payment from 60-day episodes of care to 30-day episodes of care. This change was to be implemented January 1, 2019. View Official Announcement GREAT NEWS! On November 1, 2017, in regulation CMS-1672-F, CMS published that they are NOT finalizing the implementation of the Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM) in this final rule. View Official Announ...

By now we’re sure you’ve heard the Medicare-certified home health and hospice agencies must comply with the new federal emergency preparedness requirements, including the training and testing programs, by November 15, 2017. At this time, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is NOT amending rules in 40 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 97, Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs). The Commission has stated the licensure regulations curren...

Today The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoP) Delay. Items that previously had a July 13, 2017 implementation date have been delayed until January 13, 2018. The phase-in date for performance improvement projects has been revised to July 13, 2018 with all other QAPI requirements effective January 13, 2018. The CoPs remained consistent with the proposed rule, with the following exceptions: I...