The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act mandates that a physician have a face-to-face encounter (in-person visit) for Medicare and Medicaid home health services. Below are the key things that you need to know.

The Medicare and Medicaid Face-to-Face rule requires:

  • All individuals who are referred for home health services must have a face-to-face encounter (in-person visit) with a physician or non-physician practitioner,* such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, within a mandatory time frame
    • Within the 90 days before the start of home health services or
    • Within 30 days after the home health nurse or therapist makes the first visit.

*Please note that although a non-physician practitioner may perform the encounter, the certification must be signed by a Medicare enrolled physician

If this requirement is not met, Medicare or Medicaid will not pay for home health services. All Medicare and Medicaid certified home health agencies must comply with this requirement.

The UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice greatly appreciates your willingness to work together to comply with this requirement and provide the best possible service to our patients.

Have questions about F2F documentation?

Contact UVM Health Network – Home Health & Hospice's Intake and Referral Team:

(802) 860-4400