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 information published in the Aug. 2 Federal Register .
 
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.