HCHB analysis and newly released dashboards reveal the potentially devastating impacts of cuts proposed by CMS, calling for revisions to safeguard access, quality and provider viability
Homecare Homebase submitted a comment letter urging CMS to revise the CY 2026 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule, warning that the proposed 6.4% payment cut would heighten access, financial and workforce challenges. Drawing on data covering 47.1% of the industry, HCHB’s analysis reveals the potentially devastating impacts the further cuts could have on the home health industry. HCHB reports:
- Referral conversions dropped 13% since 2018
- 4.2 million patients were denied care in 2024
- Inflation is up 27% vs. only 13% growth in revenue per patient day
- Medicare Advantage is now the majority payer, but pays less with a higher administrative burden
HCHB disputes CMS behavioral assumptions, criticizes reliance on inconsistent cost reports and pandemic-era anomalies and urges resetting baselines to 2023. It also introduced a 2026 Impact Model and Advocacy Dashboards to help providers quantify the potential effects of the Home Health Proposed Rule.