Post-Acute Care Quality Programs

Posting of the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule

The calendar year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published on June 30, 2025. The following are the Home Health Quality Reporting Program proposals that have been outlined: CMS is proposing to remove the COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients Who Are Up to Date Measure and the corresponding OASIS data element. CMS is proposing the removal of four assessment items: one Living Situation item, two Food items, and one Utilities item. CMS is proposing to revise the policy to allow providers to submit a request for reconsideration of an initial determination of noncompliance if they can demonstrate full compliance. In very limited circumstances, HHAs can request an extension to file a reconsideration request if the HHA was affected by an extraordinary circumstance beyond the control of the HHA (that is, a natural or man-made disaster such as a cyber-attack, hurricane, tornado, or earthquake) during the 30-day reconsideration period. CMS is also proposing to implement a revised Home Health Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) Survey beginning with the April 2026 sample month. This rule would also update regulatory text to account for all-payer data submission of OASIS data. 

CMS is seeking information on a change to the final data submission deadline period from 4.5 months to 45 days. CMS is also seeking feedback on the digital quality measurement (dQM) transition for HHAs. CMS aims to solicit feedback from the public on the current adoption of health information technology (IT) and standards including Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), including related challenges or barriers HHAs are facing. Finally, CMS is seeking input on future HH QRP quality measure (QM) concepts of interoperability, cognitive function, nutrition, and patient well-being.

Center for Clinical Standards and Quality