With a higher Medicare base payment rate on the horizon for calendar year 2027, home health leaders are anticipating greater financial stability as well as heightened compliance demands as workforce issues persist. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its calendar year 2027 home health payment rule on Wednesday, including a projected 2.4% […]
The 2026 midterm elections flipped control of Congress from Republicans to Democrats, creating potential momentum for the home-based care industry and the risk of political gridlock. Following Tuesday’s elections, home-based care advocates told Home Health Care News that the shift in political control could change the legislation that Congress pursues. They also said that […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its CY 2027 home health final payment rule on Wednesday. CMS estimates that the final rule will increase aggregate Medicare payments to home health agencies by 2.4% compared to calendar year 2026, in line with the increase that CMS proposed in July. The rate bump is […]
Providers of home- and community-based services (HCBS) face ever-mounting challenges, including shifting regulations and Medicaid funding cuts. As the operating landscape grows more complex, HCBS providers must balance providing quality care with the wages and hours caregivers requires, industry experts told Home Health Care News. “I think success is ultimately going to be: Are you […]
CMS’ fraud crackdown was a recurring topic at the National Alliance for Care at Home’s Annual Meeting & Expo this week in Washington, from the main stage to breakout sessions to hallway conversations. I left the event thinking the home health enrollment moratorium’s next chapter might not be a simple choice between extending the nationwide […]
The moratorium on Medicare home health enrollment has blocked 250 agencies that applied from gaining approval, according to Kim Brandt, the deputy administrator and chief operating officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The moratorium on hospice enrollment, meanwhile, has blocked 50 hospices from enrolling, she added, saying that she was surprised […]
A new federal pilot program will allow healthcare companies, including home-based care providers, to self-report and rectify conduct, such as compliance issues. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division announced the six-month self-disclosure pilot program on Thursday. The pilot provides more clarity on resolving certain […]
Home health and hospice provider Compassus is evaluating a broad array of growth opportunities, including de novo expansion, acquisitions and joint ventures. The company has expanded rapidly through acquisitions and will continue to do so, according to Chris Core, Compassus’ senior vice president and chief growth officer. Its joint venture strategy emphasizes integrated care coordination […]
Home health providers have had to reevaluate how they grow amid U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) temporary moratoria on hospice and home health enrollment in Medicare. With the potential expiration date fast approaching, providers must prepare for a potential extension. The six-month hospice and home health moratoria are set to expire […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now requires Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to post quarterly information on their websites, which could reduce home health claim denials. The move, which will go into effect Nov. 2, 2026, aims to better inform providers and suppliers about issues and trends affecting home health, hospice and other […]
