Yesterday, Feb. 3, the House passed the budget spending package that was passed in the Senate late last week to end the partial government shutdown. Assuming that President Trump signs the package, all federal government activities should resume as normal, including all survey and enforcement activities.
What’s included
Congress has now funded the federal government through Sep. 30, 2026. The spending package includes five funding bills, which cover the departments of Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services and Labor and Education. It also includes a stopgap measure funding the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks.
Specific to long-term care, the funding extends several telehealth policies through Dec. 31, 2027, including:
- Geographic Limit Waivers: These preserve telehealth access nationwide whether in a facility or in a beneficiary home such as assisted living and ID/DD settings.
- Expanded list of telehealth providers: This preserves the ability for PT/OT/SLP services via telehealth.
- Delay of in-person requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth and telecommunications technology: This preserves access to mental health care especially in provider shortage areas.
- Extending the waiver to permit audio-only telehealth services: This preserves access to distant site care providers when telehealth is not available or per patient preference.
- Extended use of telehealth for hospice recertifications.
Also included is an extension of the work geographic floor index multiplier of 0.0 through Jan. 1, 2027, preventing rate cuts for Part B services in certain rural locations. AHCA/NCAL will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as necessary.
Additional updates
CMS finalized a new rule titled, “Preserving Medicaid Funding for Vulnerable Populations – Closing a Health Care-Related Tax Loophole Final Rule,” tightening federal oversight of Medicaid provider taxes, a key mechanism utilized by state Medicaid agencies to finance their share of Medicaid. Read more here.