Homecare Homebase (HCHB) announced key takeaways from the CMS CY 2026 Home Health Final Rule, highlighting that strong industry advocacy led CMS to scale back several proposed cuts, including an 80% reduction in previously projected payment reductions and recalibrated behavior assumptions. Even so, agencies will face a 1.3% net payment decrease in 2026, or about $220 million less in Medicare home health payments, alongside multiple financial rate updates and operational changes affecting OASIS, QRP, HHCAHPS, provider enrollment, and reconsideration processes. HCHB leaders stressed that while the rule marks meaningful progress, long-term financial stability and patient access remain at risk amid rising costs and an evolving payer mix. In response, HCHB is updating its software and analytics, including its Home Health Impact Model, to help agencies stay compliant, understand the impact using their own data, and navigate an increasingly complex, value-driven regulatory environment.