Home Health Care Services

The bill authorizes advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) to order healthcare services and write prescriptions for home health services to Medicaid recipients. Such services must be legal and medically necessary. They include nursing, home health aide services, and necessary equipment, but do not cover individuals in a hospital or nursing facility. The provisions mandate that the ordering healthcare provider must not be affiliated with the home health agency, except when retirement communities own certain health facilities. Additionally, the provider must have examined the recipient within 30 days prior to requesting services and biannually thereafter, with prescriptions detailing the medical condition and required services. The provider's credentials must also be listed on the prescription and related claims.