On October 31, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for Home Health Agencies for calendar year 2020. Highlights of the final rule include: CMS projects that aggregate Medicare payments to HHAs in CY 2020 will increase by 1.3 percent, or $250 million CMS will allow physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants to provide maintenance therapy Home health episode of care will decrease for a 60-day episode to a 30-day episode Beginning in 2021, CMS will require HHAs to submit a notification to CMS within 5 calendar days from the start of care

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Fiscal Year 2020 final rule for the Prospective Payment System (PPS) and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF). This final rule finalizes the new payment system, Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), that goes into effect with dates of service on and after October 1, 2019. In addition, the final rule revises the definition of group therapy under the SNF PPS and updates requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. To access the final rule, click HERE. In addition, Gawenda Seminars

On July 31, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). CMS projects that FY 2020 payments to IRF’s will increase by 2.5% compared to FY 2019. In the final rule, highlights of issues addressed by CMS include: Case-Mix Group Revisions (using FY 2017 and FY 2018 data) Rebase and Revise the IRF Market Basket Clarification of “Rehabilitation Physician” Ensuring Quality IRF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) To read a Fact Sheet of the final rule, click HERE. To access the Final Rule, click HERE. I