CARE Act Passed! Positive Changes for Home Care on the Horizon

The House of Representatives passed a $2 trillion stimulus package Friday, officially clearing one of the last major hurdles for the emergency bill set to aid both American companies and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.

The record-breaking stimulus package also includes several provisions aimed at home health providers. Once signed into law, it will likely change how the home-based care industry operates — both on a permanent and temporary basis.

Per direction of the bill, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to allow non-physicians to certify home health services moving forward. The stimulus package specifically uses the framework of the April 2019 Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, which sought to give nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) the ability to certify home health permanently.

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