SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 9, 2018, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ("BBA of 2018"), which funded government operations, set two-year government spending limits and enacted a variety of healthcare related policies. Specific to home health, the BBA of 2018 provides for a targeted extension of the home health rural add-on payment, a reduction of the 2020 market basket update, modification of eligibility documentation requirements and reform to the Home Health Prospective Payment System (“HHPPS”). The HHPPS reform includes the following parameters:

• For home health units of service beginning on January 1, 2020, a 30-day payment system will apply.

• The transition to the 30-day payment system must be budget neutral.

• CMS must conduct at least one Technical Expert Panel during 2018, prior to any notice and comment rulemaking process, related to the design of any new case-mix adjustment model.