Snapshot
Homecare Homebase’s December 10, 2025 press release says industry advocacy helped significantly soften CMS’s CY 2026 Home Health Final Rule, with the final policy still resulting in a 1.3% overall payment reduction but reversing several of the most severe proposed cuts and recalculating behavior assumptions in a way HCHB says is more realistic for providers. The release outlines key rule updates including a projected $220 million decrease in Medicare home health payments, a 2.4% payment update, a new standardized 30-day payment rate of $2,038.22, and operational changes affecting OASIS submission, QRP, HHCAHPS, provider enrollment, and reconsideration extensions. It also says HCHB is continuing advocacy while preparing customers for compliance through product updates and an updated Home Health Impact Model, emphasizing that long-term stability remains uncertain as agencies continue to face labor, administrative, and payer pressures.
