CMS has once again extended its moratoria on new home health agencies and new branches of existing home health agencies by six months in six metropolitan areas.

The moratoria — which covers the metropolitan areas of Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, Detroit, Dallas, Houston and Chicago — was extended because the risk of fraud and abuse persists in those areas, according to the Federal Register’s website June 29.
 
According to CMS, the number of home health agencies in these areas remains sufficient to serve the number of patients needing services.
 
The moratoria on the Chicago and Miami-Dade areas has been in place since July 2013, while the moratoria on the other four areas has been in place since Jan. 31, 2014.