CMS announced a second set of new, temporary moratoria on the home health agency enrollment in four metropolitan areas: Fort Lauderdale, Detroit, Dallas and Houston. CMS is also extending for six-months the current enrollment moratoria of home health agencies in Chicago and Miami, which was originally imposed in July 2013. The new moratoria and the six-month extension of the existing moratoria will begin Friday, January 31, and are expected to remain in place for a period of six months.
 
CMS had consulted with the HHS Office of Inspector General and the Justice Department.  Fraud trends that triggered the moratorium on home health providers in these areas were based on a review of potential fraud risk factors included a disproportionate number of providers and suppliers relative to beneficiaries, and extremely high utilization in these areas, CMS reports.
 
CMS may lift the moratoria earlier or extend it another six months by issuing a notice in the Federal Register.
 
CMS’ notice about the moratoria was published in the Jan. 31 issue of the Federal Register. This topic will be covered in more depth in the Feb. 10 issue of Home Health Line.