CMS Streamlines Hospital, Home Health Discharge Planning Requirements

CMS significantly revised its proposals for discharge planning requirements for hospitals, critical access hospitals and home health agencies in a final rule released Wednesday (Sept. 25) after providers had raised concerns about what they viewed as the overly prescriptive nature of some aspects of the planning and the burdens of others. CMS says the provisions as finalized will help patients be active participants in discharge planning. The final rule also includes a provision to make sure patients have the right...