CMS Releases 2019 Home Health Final Rule
On October 31, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized calendar year 2019 and 2020 payment and policy changes for Home Health Agencies. Highlights of the final rule include 2019 payment changes to Home Health Agencies, a change in the home health episode from 60 day episodes of care to a 30 day periods of care in 2020, and a mandate that Medicare stop using the number of therapy visits provided to determine home health payment. CMS is also finalizing the implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) for home health periods of care beginning on or