Bill Summary:
The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2017 aims to improve access to home health services for Medicare beneficiaries. It includes provisions to allow nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and physician assistants to collaborate with physicians in certifying home health services. The bill also expands the definition of home health services and home health agencies to include these additional healthcare providers. The changes made by this bill will be effective starting January 1, 2018.