The Home Health PPS 2011 Final Rule has just been released and is now on display at the Federal Register site:
http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-27778_PI.pdf
HCLA is already studying and researching the new rule in order to provide members with a synopsis and information from various sources. In the mean time, be sure to view the document and either save it to your computer or bookmark it for future reference.
The following excerpt is a summary of the document:
This final rule sets forth an update to the Home
Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) rates,
including: the national standardized 60-day episode rates,
the national per-visit rates, the nonroutine medical supply
(NRS) conversion factors, and the low utilization payment
amount (LUPA) add-on payment amounts, under the Medicare
prospective payment system for HHAs effective January 1,
2011. This rule also updates the wage index used under the
HH PPS and, in accordance with the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Affordable Care Act), updates
the HH PPS outlier policy. In addition, this rule revises
the home health agency (HHA) capitalization requirements.
This rule further adds clarifying language to the “skilled
services” section. The rule finalizes a 3.79 percent
reduction to rates for CY 2011 to account for changes in
case-mix, which are unrelated to real changes in patient
acuity. Finally, this rule incorporates new legislative
requirements regarding face-to-face encounters with
providers related to home health and hospice care.
