Home Health Prospective Payment System: More Woes for HHAs Come Jan. 1

Why This Topic Matters

The rule affects Medicare home health reimbursement and may influence agency budgeting, operations, and long-term access to services for patients who rely on home-based care.

Article Sections

1. CMS final rule and payment update

   Summarizes the CMS final rule for the home health payment system and the overall direction of the annual payment update. It also describes the broad context for the announced changes.

2. Case mix growth adjustment and rebasing changes

   Covers the final reduction related to case mix growth and the phase-in of rebasing adjustments across payment components. This section discusses how the adjustments were modified from the proposed rule.

3. Base episode payment rates

   Notes the updated base episode payment amounts for standard and rural settings. The section provides context for how the payment figures changed for the year.

4. CMS response to access and margin concerns

   Explains CMS’s response to concerns about agency margins, costs, and access to care. It references the agency’s reliance on broader industry and advisory observations.

5. Industry reaction and outlook

   Presents reactions from legal and regulatory commentators about the rule’s practical impact on home health agencies. It also discusses expectations for future payment pressures and operational effects.