Prepare NOW for the start of the Calendar Year 2029 Annual Payment Update (APU)
folder_openInformation for Home Health Agenciescalendar_todayPosted November 9, 2026

In the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update Final Rule for Calendar Year 2027, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shifted the HHCAHPS annual payment update (APU) period to calendar year (January through December). The calendar year (CY) 2029 APU data collection requirement for HHCAHPS Survey participation begins with the January 2027 sample month.

Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) that are not yet participating in HHCAHPS and served 60 or more survey-eligible unique patients between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 should complete these preparatory steps in order as soon as possible:

1. Designate a staff person to serve as the agency’s HHCAHPS Survey Administrator (SA) and have that person complete the two-step registration process:
   1. Register for login credentials on this website at the following link: Register for Login Credentials.
   2. Register the agency’s CCN(s) via the “Register CCNs” link in the For HHAs menu tab after logged in.
2. Contract with an approved HHCAHPS Survey vendor listed on the website, beginning with the January 2027 sample month. A list of the approved HHCAHPS Survey vendors is available here: Approved Survey Vendors.
3. 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:

• Getting Started (this document will be updated early January 2027 to reference the CY 2029 APU participation period): Getting Started With the HHCAHPS Survey
• How to Authorize a Vendor: How to Perform HHA HHCAHPS Survey Vendor Authorization Functions

Please note, Medicare-certified HHAs that served fewer than 60 survey-eligible unique patients between January 1, 2026-December 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 2029 APU period, which will be available on the HHCAHPS website early January 2027. An announcement will be posted with more information about filing for an exemption and when the online PER form for the CY 2029 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.