As previously reported, in January 2017 the Obama Administration finalized major changes to the conditions of participation (CoPs) that home health agencies (HHAs) must meet to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The rule is currently scheduled to go into effect July 13, 2017, except that the requirement to implement data-driven performance improvement projects is effective January 13, 2018. Furthermore, the final rule exempts administrators hired by HHAs prior to July 13, 2017 from new personnel requirements.
In response to HHA requests for additional time to comply with the sweeping changes in the rule (which CMS estimates will increase costs to HHAs by more than $290 million annually), CMS is proposing to delay the overall effective date of the rule until January 13, 2018. CMS also would give HHAs until July 13, 2018 to implement data-driven performance improvement projects, and it would extend the administrator personnel standard grandfathering provision for an additional six months (to January 13, 2018). Comments on the proposal will be accepted until June 2, 2017.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
