The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to a request for information on which COVID-19 waivers and flexibilities should be made permanent and which should remain temporary until the end of the public health emergency.
Clarification of homebound definition and allowing occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), and speech language pathologists (SLPs) to perform initial and comprehensive assessment for all patients were among those NAHC stated should be made permanent for home health agencies.
For hospice agencies, NAHC suggested they make permanent the:
- Pseudo patient for hospice aide competency
- Hospice visits by various disciplines using telecommunications technologies and develop claim modifiers