Update: CMS Call Regarding the Medicare Home Health Benefit

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided an overview of certifying patient eligibility for the Medicare home health benefit on Tues., Dec. 16. It included an overview of a new requirement for HHAs to obtain documentation from the certifying physician's and/or the acute/post-acute care facility's medical record for the patient that served as the basis for the certification of patient eligibility. This new requirement was finalized in the Calendar Year 2015 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) final rule (CMS-1611-F) effective for home health episodes beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2015.

The audio recording and written transcript are now available. The agenda included a benefit overview, patient eligibility, certification requirements, including the required face-to-face encounter, recertification requirements and resources.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871