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Medicare’s CY 2026 Home Health Rule: $1.1B in New Cuts Proposed

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Medicare’s CY 2026 Home Health Rule: $1.1B in New Cuts Proposed

CMS seeks additional payment reductions alongside major policy changes

The CY 2026 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule includes $1.135 billion in additional Medicare payment cuts—on top of nearly 9% in reductions already imposed between 2023 and 2025. These cuts, combined with new policy and quality reporting changes, pose serious risks to patient access and agency stability.
HCA has drafted detailed comments strongly opposing the cuts and addressing proposals related to face-to-face encounters, OASIS, HHCAHPS, digital quality measurement, and the Value-Based Purchasing model.
Now it is critical that CMS hears directly from individual providers about how these changes would affect your agency and your patients.
To help, HCA has created a Member Action Kit with three customizable templates:
  • Template 1: Payment Cuts – for agencies that want to focus primarily on the financial impact.
  • Template 2: Policy & Quality Issues – for those who also wish to weigh in on regulatory and quality proposals.
  • Template 2: For Private Care/Hospice Providers - for those who may not participate in Medicare FFS, but want CMS to understand the impact Medicare cuts have on the entire care-at-home industry.
⚠️ Important: CMS employs tactics to screen out “form” or “canned” comments. Please personalize your letter with your agency’s name, service area, and specific examples of how the proposals will impact your operations and patients. Full submission instructions are included in the kit.
Comments are due by August 29, 2025.
3 Easy Steps to Submit Your Comment
  • 1️⃣ Download the HCA Member Action Kit – includes templates, tips, and instructions.
  • 2️⃣ Personalize your letter – add your agency’s name, service area, and real examples of impact. Don’t copy the template word-for-word—CMS AI may discard form comments.)
  • 3️⃣ Submit by August 29, 2025 – the easiest way is online at www.regulations.gov.
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