DOH Approves Use of Physician Override for the LTHHCP

ABSTRACT: NYAHSA and other associations successful in advocating for physician override.

Earlier this year, NYAHSA learned that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) challenged the use of the physician override process for the Long Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP). NYAHSA worked with the Home Care Association, Healthcare Association of New York, and the Medical Society to advocate for the continuation of this process. To learn more about this issue, and view a letter from the associations urging the Department of Health (DOH) to challenge CMS’s stance, see: NYAHSA Doc ID#n00002416.

We are pleased to report that our advocacy was successful! NYAHSA received a letter from DOH that states that the physician override process will continue to be an option. DOH further articulated that the policy will be included in the LTHHCP waiver renewal application to be submitted to CMS in September. The letter from DOH to the associations, as well as the letter to LTHHCP providers, is provided in an attachment at the bottom of the screen.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the contents of this memo, you may contact Anne Hill at ahill@nyahsa.org or 518-449-2707, ext. 141.

N:\NYAHSA\Policy\ahill\LTHHCP\8.15 Physician Override memo.doc

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