On Jun. 26, CMS issued proposal to update Medicare payments, rates.
CMS issued 2025 home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) proposed rule.
Would update Medicare payment policies and rates for home health agencies (HHAs).
Changes can support timely admission to home health services, has demonstrated improvements for patient outcomes and reducing risk of hospital readmissions.
Proposed Rule
CMS proposal would set forth routine updates to Medicare home health payment rates.
For disposable negative pressure wound therapy (dNPWT) devices, and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) items and services payment rate for the calendar year 2025.
Proposed changes to Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements.
In addition, the proposed rule provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in Expanded Health Value Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model.
New standard for acceptance to service policy in HH conditions of participation (CoPs).
Also, solicited input on permitting rehabilitative therapists to conduct the initial and comprehensive assessment and the factors that may influence patient referral, intake.
Lastly, it proposed updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses.
Consultation
Comments due no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Aug. 26, 2024
Jul. 2024 CMS Fed Reg Proposal
On Jul. 3, 2024, CMS published proposal in federal register, comments Aug. 26, 2024.
Nov. 2024 CMS Final Rule
On Nov. 1, 2024, CMS published final rule on home health rates, effective Jan. 1, 2025
Finalized permanent behavior adjustment to -1.975% in response to comments.
Adjustment will continue to satisfy statutory requirements to offset increase, decrease
Updated crosswalk to address issue by mapping OASIS-E items back to the OASIS-D.
Also updates to SN, PT, SLP LUPA add-on factors to accurately reflect practices, costs.
May consider adding existing Medicare Spending per Beneficiary measure in future.
Will share summaries of comments received on HHVBP with technical expert panel.
Nov. 7, 2024 CMS Fed Reg Final Rule
On Nov. 7, 2024, CMS published final rule in federal register, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
