Prepare NOW for the start of the Calendar Year 2028 Annual Payment Update (APU)
folder_openInformation for Home Health Agenciescalendar_todayPosted February 19, 2026
The calendar year (CY) 2028 annual payment update (APU) data collection requirement for HHCAHPS Survey participation begins with the April 2026 sample month. Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) that are not yet participating in HHCAHPS and served 60 or more survey-eligible patients between April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026 should complete these preparatory steps in order as soon as possible:
- Designate a staff person to serve as the agency’s HHCAHPS Survey Administrator (SA) and have that person register for login credentials on this website at the following link: Register for Login Credentials.
- Register the agency’s CCN(s) via the “Register CCNs” link in the For HHAs menu tab after logged in.
- Contract with an HHCAHPS Survey vendor listed on the website, beginning with the April 2026 sample month. (Approved Survey Vendors)
- Complete the online Vendor Authorization form for that vendor on this website by selecting the “Authorize a Vendor” link in the For HHAs menu after logging in.
For more information on these start-up activities, please refer to the following documents:
On the other hand, Medicare-certified HHAs that served fewer than 60 survey-eligible patients between April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026 are eligible for an exemption from participating in the HHCAHPS Survey. Such HHAs must complete the online HHCAHPS Participation Exemption Request (PER) form for the CY 2028 APU period, which will be available on the HHCAHPS website early April 2026. An announcement will be posted with more information about filing for an exemption and when the online PER form for the CY 2028 APU period is available.
If you have questions, please contact the HHCAHPS Survey Coordination Team via email at hhcahps@rti.org or call toll-free at (866) 354-0985.