Medicare Moratoria Extended on Ambulance and HHA Providers and Suppliers

On January 9, 2017, the Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the statewide “temporary” moratoria on the enrollment of new Medicare Part B non-emergency ground ambulance providers and suppliers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas, and the enrollment of new Medicare home health agencies, subunits and branch locations in Florida, Illinois, Michigan and Texas. According to CMS, the need for the moratoria stems from a review of factors suggesting a high risk of fraud, abuse and waste in the geographical areas affected.

The extended ban is for a six-month term and went into effect on January 29, 2017. CMS will re-evaluate the ban, and, if deemed necessary, will extend the ban in six-month increments.