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09/15/2026
LeadingAge Calls on CMS to Let Home Health and Hospice Moratorium Expire
LeadingAge is asking CMS to allow the nationwide Medicare enrollment moratorium for new home health agencies and hospices to expire November 13th rather than extend it for another six months.
In a Sept. 9 letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and other agency leaders, LeadingAge reiterated its support for strong program integrity efforts but urged CMS to move toward more targeted oversight. LeadingAge noted that legitimate providers are increasingly being affected by the nationwide moratorium, including organizations that had planned to expand services into communities with unmet needs.
The current moratorium took effect May 13 and applies to new Medicare enrollments for home health agencies and hospices, including certain changes in majority ownership. Existing Medicare certified providers may continue participating in Medicare, billing for covered services and making certain enrollment changes. CMS may extend the moratorium in additional six month increments if it determines an extension is necessary. As of September 15th, CMS has not announced an extension.
Why it matters
The moratorium was intended to give CMS time to strengthen safeguards against fraud, but a continued nationwide restriction could also delay legitimate expansion, transactions and efforts to improve access in underserved communities.
LeadingAge is encouraging CMS to use more targeted tools that address higher risk providers without creating the same barriers for compliant organizations.
What to do
- Keep planned Medicare enrollment, expansion and ownership changes flexible while CMS determines its next steps
- Review whether upcoming organizational changes could be affected by the moratorium
- Share examples with LeadingAge Ohio if the moratorium is affecting access, expansion or operations
- Watch LeadingAge Ohio updates for CMS action as the November expiration approaches