Medicaid Home Health Access

In July 2024, a new state law known as HB 935 took effect with the goal of improving access to Medicaid home health services. The measure recognizes the growing demand for at-home care and responds to workforce shortages by expanding who can authorize these services.

Under the law, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants are now allowed to order Medicaid home health care. They may do so even if they are not directly tied to a home health agency, provided the patient has been examined within the past 30 days. This change broadens the circle of providers able to connect patients with care, easing pressure on doctors who previously carried this responsibility alone.

Supporters point out that the new policy reduces delays in care and makes it easier for patients in underserved or rural areas to receive the services they need. It also reflects a recognition of the training and expertise of advanced practice providers, ensuring their skills are put to fuller use.

Critics caution that adjustments in billing and supervision will take time to smooth out. Agencies may face confusion during the transition, and regulators will need to closely monitor the quality of care. There is also concern that without clear communication, patients could be left uncertain about how their care is managed.

Even with these challenges, HB 935 represents a practical step toward expanding access within Medicaid. By empowering a wider group of professionals to order services, the law aims to improve efficiency and meet patients where they are, especially in communities where care is often hardest to reach.