On July 2nd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that would update Medicare payment rates for home health agencies (HHAs) in CY 2019. Other policy and payment provisions of the rule include:
- Implementing the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), a new case-mix methodology that would change the unit of payment from 60 days to 30 days in CY 2020;
- Paying for remote patient monitoring costs;
- Implementing a new home infusion therapy benefit, beginning in CY 2019;
- Reducing certain regulatory burdens for CY 2019;
- Updating the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) in CY 2021; and
- Soliciting information on interoperability requirements.
These provisions are explained in greater detail in the attached summary. CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until August 31st. The full proposed rule is available here, and a summary can be found here.