Bill > S1332

This bill, titled the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2013, aims to improve access to home health services for individuals covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older. The key provisions expand the types of healthcare professionals who can certify a patient's need for home health services beyond just physicians. Specifically, it allows nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants, when working in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician as permitted by state law, to make these certifications. This change is intended to streamline the process and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can receive timely home health care by broadening the pool of qualified professionals who can initiate this care. The amendments also clarify that a face-to-face encounter with the certifying healthcare professional is required before services can be approved, and these changes are set to take effect for services provided on or after January 1, 2014.