Comments to CMS on CY 2017 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update; Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model; and Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements

The Coalition submitted comments to CMS on the CY 2017 Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS) Rate Update; Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model; and Home Health Quality Reporting Requirements. The Coalition noted that its members had been involved and closely monitoring the creation of the Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2016. That Act became section 504 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016. Because Coalition members were so closely monitoring that process, the Coalition was very aware of the original congressional intent of these statutes as they relate to add-on payments to home health agencies (HHAs) and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). The Coalition clarified in comments that the intent of these statues was not for home health agencies to absorb to entire cost of care for a patient requiring NPWT in the home. The Coalition recommended that CMS revise their proposal to match the Congressional intent and language revolving around disposable NPWT devices in home health settings. 
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