Medicare and Medicaid Program: Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies

On October 6, 2014, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released this proposed rule for new home health conditions of participation (CoP). The proposed rule is the first update to Medicare and Medicaid home health regulations since 1989. The proposed CoPs are focused on ensuring that home health services provide patient-centered coordinated care. Elements in the proposed CoPs include expansion of patient rights requirements; refocusing of the patient assessment on physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial conditions; improved communication systems and requirements for a data-driven quality assessment; and performance improvement (QAPI) program. Comments on the proposed . . .