Reminder about Initiating the HHCAHPS Survey More Than 21 Days After the Close of the Sample Month
folder_openChanges to Protocols and Guidelines, Information for Home Health Agenciescalendar_todayPosted December 20, 2011

This is a reminder that Home Health Care CAHPS (HHCAHPS) Survey protocols require that HHCAHPS Survey vendors initiate the survey within 21 days after the close of a sample month. With the approaching holidays, vendors are urged to work diligently with their HHAs to make sure that the November sample file can be fielded by December 21st.

In accordance with protocols, vendors do not need approval to initiate the HHCAHPS Survey between the 22nd and 26th day after the sample month ends; however, survey vendors must continue to submit a Discrepancy Notification Report (DNR) to document the fact that the survey was not initiated within 21 days after the sample month ended.

If the survey cannot be initiated within 26 days after the sample month ends, the vendor must request approval from CMS to field the survey for the specific sample month.

Due to holiday schedules, the HHCAHPS Coordination Team will not be available for Technical Assistance from Friday, December 23 through Monday December 26th. Vendors should plan accordingly.