CMS Publishes Home Health Wage Index for 2013

CMS published the Home Health Wage index for 2013.  Since the Home Health PPS Rules increase the percentage of cost related to salaries and benefits by 1.453%.  This makes the changes in the wage index more important on payment rates for 2013.  The table below shows the potential impact of the changes in the Home Health Wage index for 2013.

Wage Index Changes FY 2013 Compared to FY 2012	Rural Areas	Urban Areas
Payment Decrease by over 5%	3	22
Payment Decrease between 2% and 5%	9	78
Payment Decrease between 0% and 2%	23	131
Payment Increase between 0% and 2%	12	89
Payment Increase between 2% and 5%	1	52
Payment Increase by over 5%	1	19

Listed below is the link for the Home Health Wage Index for 2013:

http://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Home-Health-Agency-HHA-Center.html?redirect=/center/hospice.asp

Please click on CMS-1358-F

If you have questions or need additional information please call Richard Dixon at (321) 473-8561.