The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) commended a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that ease regulations permitting Vets to access skilled home healthcare services. 

The rule would allow VA to establish provider agreements with non-VA providers currently participating in their State Medicaid plan, eliminating barriers to entry that require non-VA providers to establish federal contract status before they can provide home health services. 

The rule also encourages providers to partner with the VA by reimbursing them for services at Medicare and Medicaid rates. 

“The VA has once again demonstrated their understanding of home healthcare’s important role in providing clinically-advance and cost effective care to chronically-ill Veterans,” stated Eric Berger, CEO of PQHH. 

Greater accessibility of providers across the country, Berger believes, would enable more Veterans to receive optimal health and independence at home while reducing healthcare costs.

Having long been a promoter of home health through its Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program, VA has been able to provide comprehensive disease management and patient care to Veterans with chronic conditions. 

By focusing on providing clinically advanced care in the home, the HBPC program has enabled Vets and their dependents to receive the care they need without having to leave for costly institutional care. 

“Since its inception, the Partnership has encouraged lawmakers to look at the VA’s HBPC program as a model for Medicare reform,” added Berger. “We commend the VA for its leadership in utilizing home healthcare services to reduce costs while improving patient outcomes.”

Written by Jason Oliva