On September 17th, CMS released proposed regulations to promote efficiency and transparency as well as reduce burden. The proposed rule addresses changes in the Hospice program. CMS has also posted a fact sheet.
For the Medicare Home Health Program, the proposed rule would:
- Revise the requirement related to completing a full competency evaluation when an aide is found to be deficient in one or more skills. Instead of completing a full competency evaluation, an aide would only be required to complete retraining and a competency evaluation directly related to the deficient skills.
- Remove the requirement that Home Health Agencies (HHAs) provide a copy of the clinical record to a patient, upon request, by the next home visit, but retain the requirement that it be provided upon request, within 4 business days.
