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On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, averting a government shutdown and providing funding through september 30, 2026. The bill includes key provisions impacting the home-based care sector, extending telehealth flexibilities and the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver program.
Telehealth Flexibilities Extended
The legislation extends certain telehealth flexibilities for two years, allowing home health providers to continue utilizing telehealth for face-to-face visits. This is a significant benefit, expanding patient access and reducing administrative burdens. However, the bill includes limitations for hospice providers. Telehealth flexibilities will not be available in areas where the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a moratorium on new hospice provider enrollment, or for providers under a Provisional Period of Enhanced Oversight (PPEO). The National Alliance for Care at Home expressed concerns regarding these limitations, advocating for broader telehealth access for hospice patients.
Hospital at Home Waiver Program Receives Five-Year Extension
The hospital at Home waiver program, which allows patients to receive acute care in their homes, has been granted a five-year extension. This provides much-needed stability for the program, which has previously relied on short-term extensions, creating uncertainty for providers and hindering investment.The extension is expected to encourage further innovation and expansion of hospital-at-home services, notably benefiting older adults and those in rural communities. DispatchHealth’s Chief Medical Officer, Pippa Shulman, stated on LinkedIn that the extension will allow health systems to “invest in innovation, build teams and scale programs that reduce crowding, improve outcomes and meet people where they are.”
Additional Provisions
The bill also streamlines the Medicaid enrollment process for providers serving patients under 21 who are receiving care across state lines. This aims to improve access to care for children and adolescents. however, challenges remain regarding provider risk classification. The Alliance notes that home health and hospice agencies are often classified as “moderate risk” by CMS, perhaps limiting states’ ability to offer more streamlined enrollment processes.Similarly, personal care and private duty nursing services frequently fall into the moderate or high-risk categories.
Key Takeaways
- Government Funding Secured: The Consolidated appropriations Act, 2026, has been signed into law, preventing a government shutdown.
- Telehealth Extension: Telehealth flexibilities for home health are extended for two years,but with limitations for hospice care in certain circumstances.
- Hospital at Home Stability: The acute Hospital Care at Home waiver program receives a five-year extension, fostering investment and expansion.
- Medicaid Enrollment Streamlined: The bill simplifies medicaid enrollment for providers serving out-of-state patients under 21.
Looking Ahead
While these extensions provide crucial stability, advocates continue to push for permanent legislation to solidify these flexibilities. Alexis Apple, Deputy Executive Director of ATA Action, emphasized the need for continued work to establish “permanent