On the heels of explosive allegations of widespread fraud within hospice and home health agencies (HHA) across the country, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a six-month enrollment moratorium on May 13, 2026. This moratorium applies to all initial hospice and HHA Medicare enrollments and certain changes in majority ownership. The moratorium does not affect current enrollments, existing providers’ ability to render services to Medicare beneficiaries, or the telehealth flexibilities available for face-to-face recertifications.
The hospice and HHA enrollment moratorium – renewable in six-month increments – is designed to stop improper billing and prevent “bad actors from entering the system.” CMS is using advanced data analytics and targeted investigations during this moratorium to “accelerate the removal of hospice and HHA providers from the Medicare program that are suspected of committing fraud.” CMS will also deny any initial enrollment application submitted during the moratorium, but prospective enrollees can resubmit an application once CMS lifts the moratorium.
The hospice and HHA moratorium mirrors CMS’s efforts earlier this year to combat fraud, waste, and abuse against medical supply companies. On February 27, 2026, CMS implemented a six-month, nationwide initial enrollment moratorium on certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers. Yet, whether these moratoria will achieve the desired results remains unknown.
The complete CMS press release on the hospice and HHA moratoria is available here.
Additional information and answers to frequently asked questions about the hospice and HHA moratorium as well as the earlier DMEPOS moratorium is available here.
Should you have any questions regarding the above or need help with hospice, HHA, or DMEPOS-related issues, please contact the author, the Garfunkel Wild attorney with whom you regularly work, or contact us at [email protected].