Department of Health and Human Services August 6, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This proposed rule sets forth an update to the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) rates; the national standardized 60-day episode rates, the national per-visit rates, the non-routine medical supply (NRS) conversion factor, and the low utilization payment amount (LUPA) add-on payment amount, under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health agencies effective January 1, 2010. In addition, this rule proposes a change to the HH PPS outlier policy and proposes to require the submission of OASIS data as a condition for payment under the HH PPS. Also, this rule proposes payment safeguards that would improve our enrollment process, improve the quality of care that Medicare beneficiaries receive from HHAs, and reduce the Medicare program's vulnerability to fraud. This rule also proposes clarifying language to the ``skilled services'' section and Condition of Participation (CoP) section of our regulations. This proposed rule also clarifies the coverage of routine medical supplies under the HH PPS. We are also soliciting comments on: Physician/patient interaction associated with the home health plan of care (POC); a Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Home Health Care Survey; the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), Version C, effective January 1, 2010; proposed pay for reporting measures for use in CY 2011; and a number of minor payment-related issues. We are also responding to comments received as a result of our solicitation in the CY 2008 HH PPS final rule with comment period.