Final Rule: Medicaid Program; Face-To-Face Requirements For Home Health Services; Policy Changes & Clarifications Related To Home Health

In this final rule published on February 2, 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated Medicaid home health program rules to align them with Medicare home health rules. The provisions are intended to expand access to Medicaid home health services and help states reduce their reliance on institutional settings. The goal is to streamline beneficiary’ access to needed items and maximize consistency in service delivery, as well as to reduce administrative burden on home health provider organizations. The final rule clarifies that Medicaid home health services are not limited to home settings . . .