For the fifth time since 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended its Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP enrollment moratoria for home health agencies (HHAs) and ambulance providers in certain geographic areas.
The enrollment moratoria apply to new ambulance providers and HHAs in certain metropolitan areas within Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In its notice of the moratoria, CMS commented that "[t]he circumstances warranting the imposition of the moratoria have not yet abated, and CMS has determined that the moratoria are still needed as we monitor the indicators and continue with administrative actions, such as payment suspensions and revocations of provider/supplier numbers,"
CMS gained the authority to impose moratoria on provider enrollment from Section 6401(a) of the Affordable Care Act in circumstances in which CMS determines that it's necessary to prevent or combat fraud, waste or abuse.
Specifics on the metropolitan areas involved and details on the enrollment moratoria can be found in the pre-publication CMS Federal Register Notice. The Final Notice should become available on 7/28.
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