The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to Medicare contractors on how to implement two provisions from the Home Health Agency (HHA) Prospective Payment System (PPS)Final Rule.
Under the final rule, issued Oct. 30, 2009, if the owner of a home health agency (HHA) sells (including asset sales or stock transfers), transfers, or relinquishes ownership of the agency within 36 months after the HHA's enrollment in Medicare, the provider agreement and Medicare billing privileges do not convey to the new owner. To re-enroll, the new owner of the HHA must obtain a state survey or an accreditation from an approved accreditation organization.
The other provision requires an HHA whose Medicare billing privileges have been deactivated to undergo a state survey or obtain accreditation prior to having its billing privileges reactivated. The changes outlined in the final rule and included in the transmittal take effect Jan. 1, 2010.