Regulatory Updates

State: All

Date Proposed : 04/11/2025

Program: Hospice

On April 11, 2025, CMS released the FY26 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update Proposed Rule.  Updates include annual rate setting updates, requests for information, and minor updates to the CoPs and HQRP.

State: All

Date Posted : 04/3/2025

Program: Home Infusion Therapy

• Home Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG):
  • Number of beneficiaries with claims that included a primary immunodeficiency disease diagnosis
  • Utilization of home IVIG drugs and visits
  • Characteristics of home visit recipients and supplier organizations

State: All

Date Posted : 04/3/2025

Program: Home Infusion Therapy

• Home Infusion Therapy report contains:
  • Utilization for service visits
  • Characteristics of users and supplier organizations

State: Texas

Date Posted : 04/9/2025

Program: Home Care, Home Health, Home Infusion Therapy, Hospice

Texas Health and Human Services updated the FAQ document for Texas Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs).  The most current version is dated April 2025.  Updates include emergency communication system sign up requirements (AlertMedia) and use of the Critical Incident Management System (CIMS) for reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

State: Massachusetts

Date Effective : 05/1/2025

Program: Pharmacy

In accordance with Massachusetts law, all pharmacies located outside Massachusetts must obtain a license from the Board in order to dispense any prescription products into Massachusetts. M.G.L. c. 112, § 39 G, H, and J. Regulations implementing the requirement for non-resident licensure will be promulgated in December, 2024, and on January 1, 2025, the Board will begin accepting applications. In addition to a retail pharmacy license (non-resident drug store), pharmacies that engage in sterile and complex non-sterile compounding will require additional licensure. In order to comply with the new licensing regulations, a grace period has been established through March 31, 2025 to apply for the required license(s). Beginning May 1, 2025, any pharmacy located outside of Massachusetts must hold a license in order to dispense prescription products into Massachusetts. Please note that any prescription dispensed into Massachusetts must be pursuant to a valid patient-specific prescription. Any pharmacy without a license that dispenses prescription products into Massachusetts on or after May 1, 2025 will be subject to prosecution and penalties for unlawful distribution as provided by law. Please direct any questions to: [email protected]

State: Arizona

Date Effective : 04/6/2025

Date Adopted : 02/28/2025

Program: Home Health

On February 28, 2025, Arizona adopted updated rules in Title 9. Health Services, Chapter 10 Department of Health Services Health Care Institutions: Licensing, Article 12 Home Health Agencies.  ACHC is encouraging agencies to review the updates to this chapter for implementation.  ACHC will survey for these updated regulations after the effective date.  Updates to the Arizona Home Health licensing regulations include but are limited to:

• Administrator shall serve no more than 5 agencies
• Physician assistant added as practitioner who can order home health services
• Plan of care is established and implemented within 5 days of start of care
• Care plan reviewed and documented with patient at least every 30 calendar days
• Home Health Agency documents and responds to referrals within 48 hours