ACHC Blog

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), “As of January 30, 2019, there are no active Medicare Provider Enrollment Moratoria in any State or U.S. territories.”  CMS announced Wednesday that the provider enrollment moratoria on home health agencies in Illinois, Michigan, Texas, and Florida have expired. The notice from CMS can be read here.

ACHC is able to expeditiously conduct an Initial Medicare Certification Survey for home health agencies (HHAs) in these states. An organization may apply for accreditation if the following eligibility requirements are met.

The organization must:

1. Be currently operating within the United States and/or its territories.
2. Be licensed according to applicable state and federal laws and regulations and maintain all current legal authorization to operate.
3. Have completed the Medicare Enrollment Application Form CMS-855A and had this form verified by the assigned Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), if applicable.
4. Have established policies and procedures.
5. Have successfully completed a test Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) transmission to the state repository, if applicable.
6. Have met capitalization requirements, if applicable.
7. Occupy a building in which services are provided/coordinated that is identified, constructed, and equipped to support such services.
8. Clearly define the services it provides directly or under contract.
9. Submit all required documents and fees to ACHC within specified time frames.
10. Be providing home health nursing and at least one qualifying therapeutic service.
    1. The qualifying therapeutic services include physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, medical social services, and home health aide (Reference in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 42 CFR 484.105(f).
    2. A Distinction is a non-qualifying therapeutic service.
11. Have provided care to a minimum of 10 patients requiring skilled care (not required to be Medicare patients). At least seven of the 10 required patients are receiving skilled care from the Home Health Agency (HHA) at the time of the initial Medicare survey. If the HHA is not able to meet the minimum number of patients required, the initial survey will not be conducted. If the HHA is located in a medically underserved area, they can contact the CMS Regional Office (RO). If the CMS RO determines that the HHA is located in a medically underserved area, the CMS RO may reduce the minimum number of patients from 10 to five. At least two of the five required patients should be receiving skilled care from the HHA at the time of the initial Medicare survey. It is the organization’s responsibility to notify ACHC if it is located in an underserved area.

For more information call (855) 937-2242 ext. 457