Home Health Survey and Certification Activities Related to Program

The Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 1510-F, amended the regulations for home health agency (HHA) certification. HHAs that undergo a change in majority ownership within three years of initial Medicare enrollment or within three years of a previous change in majority ownership must enroll in the Medicare program as a new HHA, and obtain a new State survey or deemed status accreditation. This is necessary to ensure that newly-sold HHAs are in compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs). This rule also provides four allowable exceptions to the 36-month ownership provisions.