Proposed Rule: Medicare Program; Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update for Calendar Year 2013, Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements, and Survey and Enforcement Requirements for Home Health Agencies

This proposed rule updates payment rates under the Home Health Prospective Payment System, which includes the 60 day episode rate, national per visit rate, low utilization payment rate, and outlier payments under the Medicare home health program.  In addition, the proposed rule would allow for unannounced surveys of home health agencies and allow for the imposition of sanctions if the home health agencies are not in compliance with federal regulations. The rule also proposes requirements for hospice quality data reporting, pursuant to the changes made to the Social Security Act by the Affordable Care Act.

See full text of the proposed rule