DOH Posts CHHA EPS Rebasing Rates

As reported last week, LeadingAge NY and other home care associations met with Department of Health (DOH) to review and discuss the rebasing calculations and next steps. DOH indicated that the Division of Budget approved a reduction of 12 percent to the existing EPS rates retroactive to April 1, 2015 until a full rebasing of rates goes into effect Oct. 1, 2015. The State estimates that a 12 percent reduction to current rates would result in a payment cut to providers totaling approximately $30 million on an annualized basis. CHHA members should see this reduction sometime in June of July.

DOH posted a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) to the Health Commerce System (HCS), along with the rates showing the 12 percent reduction last week. Pursuant to the DAL, the rates are effective for the time period mentioned above, April 1, 2015 until October 2015, and are to "preserve the $30 million annual financial plan saving estimated for the rebasing in the 2015-16 adopted State Budget."

DOH plans to replace this 12 percent cut to current rates by a full rebasing that would not only reduce the base price, but would also re-weigh each of the 108 payment groups and alter the grouper, effective Oct. 1, 2015. They are seeking the necessary approval from the Division of the Budget for the full rebasing and plan to issue a DAL with a complete description of the changes once approved.

LeadingAge NY and other home care associations put forth legislation limitting the rebasing to the approved amount in the State Budget of $30 million. We urge Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs) to advocate for this legislation by sending an email to lawmakers, urging them to limit cuts to CHHAs.

Questions regarding this latest DAL on CHHA EPS rebasing should be directed to Tim Casey or Charles Tobey at DOH, 518-473-4421.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871 or Darius Kirstein, dkirstein@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383