Navigating the shifting landscape of Home-Based Care: Key Policy Priorities for 2026
The home-based care sector is at a pivotal moment.As we approach the end of 2025, a year marked by important change and consolidation, understanding the current policy environment and anticipating future shifts is crucial for providers. This article breaks down the key regulations impacting home health, hospice, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), outlining priorities for advocacy and a roadmap for success in 2026.
The Drive for Deregulation: A Welcome Shift
there’s a growing recognition of the regulatory burdens weighing on home-based care providers. The current governance’s focus on deregulation presents a valuable possibility to streamline processes and allow clinicians to focus on what matters most: patient care. We’re actively engaging with these efforts, building on the feedback provided through Requests for Information (rfis) throughout the year.
You’re likely feeling the squeeze, especially with ongoing staffing challenges. Our goal is to highlight policies that create unneeded administrative hurdles, diverting valuable time and resources away from the bedside. We want to ensure regulations truly aid in care delivery, not hinder it.
Top Regulatory Targets for Rollback
Several regulations are currently under scrutiny,with a clear focus on reducing administrative burdens. Here’s what’s on our radar:
* The 80/20 Rule: This is our highest priority. The rule’s impact on paperwork and timeliness, without directly improving patient care, is significant.
* Excessive Paperwork: We’ve submitted a comprehensive list of burdensome regulations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) impacting home health, hospice, and HCBS.We’re advocating for simplification and streamlining.
* Timeliness Requirements: Many documentation requirements aren’t directly tied to patient outcomes, creating unnecessary stress and administrative overhead.
A Transformative Year: The Rise of a Unified Voice
2025 has been a landmark year for the industry. The formation of the Alliance represents a powerful, unified voice for care in the home policy. This consolidation allows us to more effectively advocate for the needs of providers and patients.
We’ve tackled several major challenges this year, including:
* HCBS Reconciliation: addressing the impacts of the reconciliation bill on HCBS programs.
* Hospice Integrity: Protecting the integrity of the hospice benefit within the fee-for-service structure and preventing its migration into Medicare Advantage.
* Home Health Payment Model: Proactively communicating concerns about potential changes to the home health payment model and advocating for a lasting approach.
Looking Ahead: Key Priorities for 2026
While 2025 has been busy, much of the work is just beginning. Here’s what you can expect in 2026:
* Medicaid Implementation: The reconciliation bill has passed, but the real work lies in its implementation at the state level. We’ll be closely monitoring these changes and advocating for policies that support access to care.
* Continued Hospice Advocacy: We will remain vigilant in defending the hospice benefit against efforts to shift it into Medicare advantage. Maintaining access to comprehensive, fee-for-service hospice care is paramount.
* Home Health Sustainability: The outcome of current discussions surrounding home health will considerably shape our 2026 strategy. A vibrant home health system is essential for supporting hospital-at-home programs and reducing reliance on institutional care.
Why Home Health is Foundational
Don’t underestimate the critical role of home health. Without a strong home health infrastructure, many of the administration’s goals - like expanding hospital-at-home and reducing institutionalization – simply won’t be achievable.
You know firsthand the challenges of workforce shortages and regulatory burdens. We’re committed to working with the administration to develop solutions that address these issues and ensure a sustainable future for home-based care.
Partnering for Success
We believe that by focusing on collaborative solutions and advocating for sensible policies, we can create a home-based care system that delivers high-quality, cost-effective care to those who need it most. Stay informed, engage with your industry associations, and let your voice be heard.
Resources:
* [Home Healthcare News – Trump Administration’s Anti-Competitive Efforts Could Implicate 80/20 Rule](https://homehealthcarenews.com/