CMS Issues Final Rule On Medicare Reimbursement Rates For Home Health Agencies

CMS last week issued a final rule that will revise the Home Health Prospective Payment System, which determines Medicare reimbursement rates for home health agencies, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to CMS, the rule will increase Medicare reimbursements to home health agencies by $20 million in fiscal year 2008. In addition, the rule will reduce the national standardized 60-day episode Medicare reimbursement rate for home health agencies for four years to compensate for changes in the observed case mix not related to the actual conditions of beneficiaries.