DataPoint: Home Health Changes

An examination of recently released Medicare home health claims data shows an increase in the use of skilled nursing services in Certified Home Health Care. A LeadingAge NY analysis of data posted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reveals that median hierarchical condition category (HCC) scores increased statewide from 2.24 in 2015 to 2.38 in 2016. Median HCC was highest in the New York City region at 2.63 and lowest in the Central New York region at 2.25. Other than Central New York, each New York State region exceeded the national HCC median of 2.27. The median cost per Medicare home care episode in 2016 was $3,273.55 statewide and $2,927.12 nationwide.

The Home Health Agency public use file contains Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) utilization, payment, demographic, and chronic condition statistics and is available here.

Contact: Ken Allison, kallison@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8820