CMS released an updated version of the Home Health Grouper to account for changes coming to high and low comorbidity adjustments, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
 
Key updates include:
  • Added three low comorbidity subgroups: Heart 5, Musculoskeletal 1 and Neoplasm 6.
  • Removed five current low comorbidity subgroups: Circulatory 7, Endocrine 3, Neoplasm 1, Neurological 11 and Neurological 12.
  • Added 44 comorbidity subgroup interactions that are applicable for a high comorbidity adjustment; while removing 40 current interactions.
  • Changes made to the functional impairment responses, values, categories, limits or points.
  • Changes made to the clinical group thresholds.
Note: There were no changes made to primary diagnosis clinical group assignments in the January Grouper.
 
To view the Home Health Grouper update, visit https://tinyurl.com/24z83bhs