Temporary Change to Medicaid Allowing NPs to Order Home Health
Posted
about 4 years ago
by
Louise Kaplan
Washington State Health Care Authority Rule Change
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Temporary change to home health ordering requirements (COVID-19)
What changed?
Effective April 3, 2020, the Health Care Authority (HCA) changed administrative codes to allow advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants to order home health services without a signature or co-signature of a physician. To implement this, HCA filed emergency rules under WSR 20-09-016, amending WAC 182-543-0500 and 182-551-2040.
What other changes are coming?
HCA continues to monitor and change policies to improve care access and payment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit HCA's website for additional information on policy changes related to COVID-19.
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Medicare Changes
During the Public Health Emergency, NPs and CNSs may temporarily order Medicare home health with the permanent change mandated to occur within 6 months of passage of the CARES Act. Rules may be finalized sooner than 6 months.
ARNPS United, with the assistance of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and in coalition with other Washington professional associations and the Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, worked diligently to protect ARNP full practice authority and increase access to home health for our patients. Ultimately, patient outcomes and quality of care will improve.
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