Health Care Law Blog

CMS Extends Home Health Agency Enrollment Moratorium for Six Months

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") recently extended the temporary moratorium on the Medicare enrollment of new home health agencies ("HHAs"), subunits, and branch locations in Michigan.

Effective July 29, 2017, the moratorium was extended for an additional six months. The temporary moratorium also precludes the Medicare enrollment of new HHAs in Florida, Illinois, and Texas.

The HHA moratorium previously applied only to Wayne County and surrounding counties in Michigan, but it was extended to the entire state of Michigan as of July 29, 2016. CMS stated that the extension was necessary due to a high risk of fraud, waste, and abuse in the affected areas. CMS may continue to extend the moratorium in six-month increments.

The moratorium does not apply to any of the following changes: (1) changes in practice location; (2) changes in provider or supplier information, such as phone number or address; or (3) changes in ownership (unless the change in ownership triggers an initial enrollment under the 36-month rule). Limited waivers to the moratorium may be available on a case-by-case basis if an access to care issue exists.

Please contact Jennifer Van Regenmorter or Julie Hamlet if you have questions about how your organization may be impacted by the moratorium.

Categories: Medicare/Medicaid, Providers