Act Now to Advocate for Certified Home Health Agencies
(July 29, 2025) The proposed cut to Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) payment rates for home health services included in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Payment System Rate Update is deep: 9%. And, when combined with the 8.8% payment reductions the agency has imposed since CY 2023, the impact will be significant to all providers of home health care – but nonprofit providers are particularly at risk. See LeadingAge National's analysis of the proposed rule here. LeadingAge National has developed a multi-pronged advocacy strategy to fight against the cuts, including an initiative with the National Alliance for Care at Home, as well as a members-only resource for nonprofit providers, available here.
Member agencies are asked to complete a survey to help create a picture for Congress that shows how rate cuts will further affect member agencies, patients, communities, and the broader health care system. LeadingAge National, along with members and other partners, will submit comments on the CY 2026 proposed rule. It will also support legislation to pause the rule and its proposed cuts.
- Oppose the CY 2026 home health proposed rule.
- Urge CMS to rescind cuts and preserve critical access to care for patients and families.
- Support legislation that strengthens – not weakens – home-based care, the preferred choice for patients and the highest-value option for our Medicare trust fund.
LeadingAge National’s explainer is helpful in laying out the impacts of rate cuts on nonprofit home health agencies, including the numerous considerations of providers regarding care delivery, how agencies are taking steps to absorb cuts, and what decisions they might have to make if the proposed cuts are finalized.
Join LeadingAge National’s Home Health Network call on Aug. 5th at 2 p.m. to learn more about how you can engage and advocate on this important issue.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871