Earlier this summer, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2024 home health proposed payment rule, which proposes to reduce home health payments by 2.2%, or an estimated $375 million less compared to 2023 levels.

While the home health care industry was not surprised by the proposed cuts, it is still discouraging considering the array of challenges home health care is facing – challenges that threaten patient access to care. In short, staffing shortages, inflation, increased operating costs, and reduced reimbursements are negatively impacting our ability to serve home health patients, and it is difficult to see where additional rate cuts can be absorbed without reducing access to care.

To prevent the proposed rate cuts, WiAHC, our national partners (NAHC / NHPCO), and other state chapters across the county have urged CMS to withhold the imposition of any of the proposed rate cuts in 2024, as doing so will further reduce care access in our communities.

CLICK HERE to review WiAHC’s comment letter to CMS on the proposed home health payment rule.