WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is placing a six-month national moratorium on Medicare enrollment for durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, it announced Wednesday, Feb. 25.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed local coverage determination (LCD) for a not reasonable and necessary determination for Group 2 power wheelchairs (PWCs) with seat elevation systems (K0830 and K0831) based on the best available evidence.
CARY, North Carolina—Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) has received continued approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a national accrediting organization for its hospice and critical access hospital (CAH) programs. The ACHC said the six-year renewal, effective until 2031, is the longest term available.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center (CMMI) has issued additional updates on the Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model. The ACCESS model is a voluntary 10-year national test of a payment approach leveraging technology in care delivery.
These updates include:
WASHINGTON—Congress officially extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2027, as part of the newly signed federal funding bill. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released updated telehealth frequently asked questions (FAQ) sheet to provide clarity on what the extension means for both patients and providers.
WASHINGTON—Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is spearheading a Congressional sign-on letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz seeking to delay competitive bidding for ostomy and urological supplies.
Delaying implementation of the proposed bidding protocols for these products will allow for a thorough review of serious concerns arising from their potential inclusion in the competitive bidding program, advocates argue.
WASHINGTON—The United States Senate passed a bipartisan funding bill that included a provision that will extend telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare through the end of 2027.
The Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act will expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare, make COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent, and make it easier for patients to connect with their doctors.
LONG BEACH, California—Molina Healthcare announced a workforce development initiative in partnership with HealthStream’s MissionCare Collective to create 15,000 home health aide (HHA) positions across 26 states.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a 0.09% increase in Medicare Advantage (MA) payments for calendar year 2027.
If finalized, the proposed policies are projected to result in a net average year-over-year payment increase of 0.09%, or over $700 million in MA payments to plans in CY 2027.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new online complaint form for providers to submit grievances related to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
WASHINGTON—Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated several lists that cover durable medical equipment (DME) reimbursement authorization. The three lists updated were the required face-to-face and written order prior to delivery list (Required F2F/WOPD), the required prior authorization list and the master list.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it is expanding the provisional period of enhanced oversight (PPEO) for newly enrolled hospices in Ohio and Georgia. This expansion adds to the list of states that have implemented the PPEO including Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
OWINGS MILLS, Maryland—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reinstated the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) as an approved accrediting organization (AO) for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) until further notice.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a series of listening sessions hosted by CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz on home health and hospice fraud in Los Angeles. The sessions were attended by staff of LeadingAge national, LeadingAge California and The National Alliance for Care at Home.
WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has halted the ability of the Board of Certification/Accreditation International (BOC) to act as an approved accreditation organization for durable medical equipment (DME) providers. BOC said it was "dismayed" by CMS' actions and that it has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
DALLAS—Homecare Homebase (HCHB), a software provider for home-based care, announced key insights and compliance preparations following the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule.
WASHINGTON—The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released a draft report recommending that Congress reduce the Medicare base payment rate for home health care services for calendar year 2027 by 7%.
Along with the occasional aches and pains, growing older can bring surprise setbacks and serious diseases. Longtime relationships with doctors people trust often make even bad news more tolerable. Losing that support — especially during a health crisis — can be terrifying. That’s why little-known federal requirements are supposed to protect people with privately run Medicare Advantage coverage when contract disputes lead their health care providers and insurers to part ways.
WASHINGTON—Home health agencies will see a 1.3% cut to Medicare payments in 2026—a significant improvement to Washington’s initial proposal but still a blow for aging-in-place providers, advocates said.
