Medicare Home Health has endured a series of massive cuts to the reimbursement structure and providers are expecting additional cuts to be announced in this year’s rulemaking by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These cuts will have devastating, long-term repercussions on access to care for patients, and it is estimated that more than half of Medicare-certified home health agencies will be operating with negative margins as a result of these cuts.

It is crucial for Congress to intervene and tell CMS to stop these additional cuts. The 7.85% permanent cut finalized in 2022 equates to more than $1 billion in cuts annually starting in 2024 and continuing in perpetuity. This will result in devastating, long-term repercussions for home health patients and their providers.

To maintain access to home health care services and prevent harm to the Medicare patients across Wisconsin that depend on essential health care provided in their homes, it’s critical for WiAHC members to urge Congress to fix the potential chaos created by CMS by passing the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 (S. 2137), which is being authored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME).

The Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2023 not only seeks to reverse these damaging Medicare home health cuts, but it also instructs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to analyze the Medicare Home Health Program comprehensively. MedPAC's review would encompass aggregate trends under Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and other payers.

We need you to tell your members of Congress to act NOW and require CMS to stop additional cuts to home healthcare in 2024. Remember, these cuts will threaten the ability of 3.2 million Medicare beneficiaries to receive life-saving clinical care in the home each year. It is time to prioritize the health and well-being of our elderly, disabled, and chronically ill patients and ensure that they have access to the care they need and deserve.

Of course, when advocating for home health with your members of Congress, it is important to ensure your message is both compelling and clearly presented. Thankfully, our national partner, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), has made connecting with your elected representatives as easy as a few clicks on your computer or mobile device.

Simply CLICK HEREto contact your federal lawmakers on the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022. All you need to do is fill in your name and contact information and hit SEND.