New Medicare Home Health Agencies
CMS announced a moratorium on new Medicare home health agencies in certain targeted areas moments ago. The 6 month moratorium affects the Miami and Chicago metropolitan areas. Specifically, a temporary moratorium is imposed in Miami?Dade and Monroe counties in Florida. In addition, the moratorium applies to the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
Under the moratoria, no new HHAs will be enrolled with practice locations in the affected areas unless their enrollment application has already been approved, but not yet entered into PECOS or the state enrollment system at the time the moratorium is imposed. The effective date is July 23, 2013.
The moratoria is based on findings of criminal activity and the high existing enrollment of providers. It may be extended for additional 6 month periods if CMS deems appropriate.
NAHC has long advocated for targeted moratoria. In a discussion with CMS Medicare Chief Jon Blum today, NAHC expressed its support for the decision and desire to work with CMS to identify other areas where a temporary moratorium should be imposed.
The formal Notice is found at: http://www.ofr.gov/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
