CMS Expands Review Choice Demonstration to California

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing the Review Choice Demonstration program for home health services in California beginning with billings on or after Jan. 18, 2027.

“The demonstration is designed to ensure compliance with Medicare home health requirements and protect the Medicare trust funds,” CMS said in an Nov. 2 update on its website. The demonstration will include all California home health agencies (HHAs) that bill MAC Jurisdiction 6 (Wellpoint Federal). 

“The Review Choice Demonstration gives HHAs options for how Medicare claims are reviewed, while rewarding agencies that consistently demonstrate compliance with Medicare home health requirements,” Wellpoint Federal said on its website.

The selection period for the demonstration will start Nov. 16 and end Dec. 16. CMS said the implementation depends on approval from the Office of Management and Budget.

The demonstration will continue to follow the already established processes that are currently operational in the Jurisdiction M states of Illinois, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma.