2020-13792: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2021 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update; Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements; and Home Infusion Therapy Services Requirements

Summary

This proposed rule would update the home health prospective payment system (HH PPS) payment rates and wage index for calendar year (CY) 2021. This proposed rule also proposes to make permanent the changes to the home health regulations regarding the use of technology in providing services under the Medicare home health benefit as described in the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency interim final rule with comment period. This proposed rule also proposes to remove provisions related to test transmission of OASIS data by a new HHA, because the provision is now obsolete due to changes in our data submission system. This proposed rule discusses policies finalized in the CY 2020 HH PPS final rule with comment period regarding the permanent home infusion therapy services benefit for CY 2021, and proposes conforming regulations text changes excluding home infusion therapy services from coverage under the Medicare home health benefit. Additionally, this proposed rule discusses Medicare enrollment policies for qualified home infusion therapy suppliers.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 4 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 42 CFR 409 Hospital Insurance Benefits
• 42 CFR 414 Payment for Part B Medical and Other Health Services
• 42 CFR 424 Conditions for Medicare Payment
• 42 CFR 484 Home Health Services