Complete Story
07/21/2026
CMS Issues Long Awaited Survey Guidance on Home Health Acceptance to Service Policies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the long awaited survey guidance for the Home Health Acceptance to Service Condition of Participation that took effect earlier this year. The new guidance explains how surveyors will evaluate compliance and establishes two new survey tags focused on agencies' acceptance to service policies and public reporting of available services.
Why it matters
While the Acceptance to Service requirement has been in effect since January 2025, providers have been waiting for CMS to clarify exactly what surveyors would expect during surveys. The new guidance confirms that agencies must have a written policy that is consistently applied to every referral and based on four required factors:
- The prospective patient's anticipated care needs
- Agency caseload and case mix
- Current staffing levels
- Staff skills and competencies
CMS also expects agencies to make accurate information about the services they provide, and any service limitations, publicly available. That information must be reviewed whenever services change and at least annually. Surveyors will also verify that information reported in iQIES and Care Compare accurately reflects the services your agency currently offers.
What to do
- Review your Acceptance to Service policy to ensure it addresses all four required elements.
- Confirm the policy is being applied consistently for every referral.
- Review your website, brochures, Care Compare listing, and other public materials to ensure your listed services accurately reflect your current capabilities.
- Verify your agency's information in PECOS and iQIES is current and update it if services have changed.
- Educate intake and referral staff on the new survey expectations before your next survey.