CMS Issues Proposed Rule Updating the Conditions of Participation for HHAs.
On October 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule updating home health agency (HHA) conditions of participation (CoPs). This rule marks the first change to HHA CoPs since 1989 and represents an effort to ensure the safe delivery of quality care to home health patients. The proposed changes would affect an estimated 12,400 home health agencies nationwide and five million Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries annually.
Key highlights of the proposed rule include:
- Revises the Outcomes and Assessment Information Set requirements to update electronic data transmissions;
- Creates a requirement to maintain a system of communication and integration to identify patient needs, coordinate care from all providers, and effectively communicate with physicians;
- Requires each HHA to develop, implement, and maintain an agency-wide, data-driven quality assessment and performance improvement program;
- Requires a new infection control program that reflects current health care practices;
- Revises the management and administrative structure of HHAs by allowing administrator designees.
Comments are due no later than December 8, 2014.
The CMS Proposed Rule is available at:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-10-09/pdf/2014-23895.pdf.
The CMS Facts Sheet is available at:
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Medicare and Medicaid Program: Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies; Proposed Rule, 79 Fed. Reg. 61163, 61163 -61213 (Oct. 9, 2014).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Proposed Rulemaking on Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies: Revision of Requirements.” Facts Sheet. 6 Oct. 2014.