SB 700

This bill makes changes to the administrative rules related to home health

agencies. Home health agencies provide skilled nursing and other therapeutic

services on a visiting basis to persons in their homes. Under current administrative

rules, a practitioner develops an initial plan of care for every patient within 72 hours

of the patient's acceptance for care to a home health agency. This bill extends to 120

hours the deadline for practitioners to develop an initial plan of care. Current

administrative rules require a registered nurse or other therapist providing skilled

care to a patient who is under the care of a home health agency to make supervisory

visits to the patient's residence at least every two weeks. If a patient is receiving only

personal care services, current administrative rules require a registered nurse to

make supervisory visits to the patient's residence at least every 60 days. This bill

allows a registered nurse or skilled therapist to make the supervisory visits remotely

under certain conditions. This bill also eliminates the requirement under current

administrative rules that a home health agency establish a professional advisory

body that advises the agency on professional issues.