More than 4 million patients are being turned away from home health services each year, according to a new analysis from Homecare Homebase (HCHB), revealing a deepening access issue in the industry that could only get worse by proposed Medicare payment cuts.

Based on data from 44% of all Medicare home health claims, HCHB’s findings reveal a significant drop in referral-to-admission rates, driven largely by staffing shortages and stagnant reimbursement.

The CDC reported in 2020 that there were roughly 11,400 home health agencies in the U.S . As of January this year, Market.us Media also reported that about 12 million Americans receive home healthcare services each year.

“HCHB data shows a sharp decline in patient access, with referral-to-admission rates dropping from 74% pre-PDGM (Pa

See Full Page