The Affordable Care Act requires that all home health and hospice services be initiated by an in-person encounter with the patient and their physician in order to be covered under Medicare. This requirement began January 1, 2011, but CMS has announced that it will not begin enforcing the requirement until April 1, 2011. CMS has further stated that the delay in enforcement will not be further extended beyond April 1, 2011.
If you have any questions or concerns about complying with these new regulations, or any other regulations, please contact one of our attorneys at 248-544-0888 or www.Wachler.com.