On November 1, 2023, CMS issues the CY 2024 Home Health PPS final rule.  This rule became effective Jan 1, 2024. The final rule included updates for home health, hospice, and DME.

Home Health:  The final rule included home health payment updates including codification of statutory requirements for disposable negative pressure wound therapy devices, Home Health Quality Reporting program updates Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model updates.

DME: The final rule notes the end of the IVIG demonstration program with a new permanent DME payment for in-home administration of IVIG for the treatment of primary PIDD.  The rule codifies the longstanding Medicare definition of a brace.  A benefit was established in this rule for lymphedema compression treatment items and outlines the scope and payment of this coverage.  Finally, the rule addressed the 30-day refill policy for DMEPOS providers.

Hospice: This final rule finalized both the Hospice Special Focus Program and has added an Informal Dispute Resolution process which closely aligns with the existing IRD process for home health providers.  There were also several hospice provider enrollment provisions in this final rule including subjecting hospices to the highest level of provider enrollment screening, expanding the existing change in majority ownership rule at 42 CFR §424.550(b) to include hospices, and clarifies the definition of managing employee to include both the hospice administrator and medical director.