DHS 133.09(3)(a)1.1. A home health agency may not discharge a patient for any reason until the agency has discussed the discharge with the patient or the patient’s legal representative and the patient’s attending physician, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or physician assistant, and has provided written notice to the patient or the patient’s legal representative in the timelines specified in this paragraph.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)2.2. The home health agency shall provide the written notice, except when a patient is discharged due to hospital admission that occurs near the end of a 60-day episode of treatment, required under subd. 1. to the patient or the patient’s legal representative at least 10 working days in advance of discharge if the reason for discharge is any of the following:

DHS 133.09(3)(a)2.a.a. Payment has not been made for the patient’s care, following reasonable opportunity to pay any unpaid billings.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)2.b.b. The home health agency is unable to provide the care required by the patient due to a change in the patient’s condition that is not an emergency.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)3.3. The home health agency shall provide the written notice under subd. 1. to the patient or the patient’s legal representative at the time of discharge if the reason for discharge is any of the following:

DHS 133.09(3)(a)3.b.b. The attending physician, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or physician assistant orders the discharge for emergency medical reasons.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)3.c.c. The patient no longer needs home health care as determined by the attending physician, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or physician assistant.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)4.4. The home health agency shall insert a copy of the written discharge notice in the patient’s medical record.

DHS 133.09(3)(a)5.5. The home health agency shall include in every written discharge notice to a patient or the patient’s legal representative all of the following:

DHS 133.09(3)(a)5.b.b. A notice of the patient’s right to file a complaint with the department and the department’s toll-free home health hotline telephone number and the address and telephone number of the department’s division of quality assurance.

DHS 133.09 NoteNote: A complaint may be filed by writing the Bureau of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance, P.O. Box 2969, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2969 or by calling the Wisconsin Home Health Hotline toll free at 1-800-642-6552.

DHS 133.09(3)(b)(b) Discharge summary. The home health agency shall complete a written discharge summary within 30 calendar days following discharge of a patient. The discharge summary shall include a description of the care provided and the reason for discharge. The home health agency shall place a copy of the discharge summary in the former patient’s medical record. Upon request, the home health agency shall provide a copy of the discharge summary to the former patient, the patient’s legal representative, the attending physician, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or physician assistant.

DHS 133.09 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1984, No. 341, eff. 6-1-84; r. and recr. (3), Register, April, 2001, No. 544, eff. 5-1-01; CR 07-060: am. (1), (3) (a) 1., 2. (intro.), 3. b., c. and (b), r. and recr. (2) Register November 2007 No. 623, eff. 12-1-07; correction in (3) (a) 5. b. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2008 No. 626; CR 16-077: am. (1), (3) (a) 1., 3. b., c., (b) Register September 2017 No. 741 eff. 10-1-17.

DHS 133.10(1)(1) Required services. The home health agency shall directly provide or arrange for at least part-time or intermittent nursing services and provide or arrange for home health aide services.

DHS 133.10(2)(2) Optional services. In addition to the services required under sub. (1), the agency may provide therapeutic services including, but not limited to, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and medical social services.

DHS 133.10 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, May, 1984, No. 341, eff. 6-1-84; am. (1), Register, April, 2001, No. 544, eff. 5-1-01.

DHS 133.11DHS 133.11 Referrals. When patients have needs which the home health agency cannot meet, the home health agency shall refer these patients to other agencies, social service organizations, or governmental units which are appropriate for unmet needs of the patients and which may be of assistance in meeting those needs. Referrals shall include referrals to meet the needs of patients for services at times before and after the normal business hours of the home health agency.

DHS 133.12DHS 133.12 Coordination with other providers. The home health agency shall coordinate its services with any other health or social service providers serving the patient.

DHS 133.13DHS 133.13 Emergency notification. Home health agency personnel shall promptly notify a patient’s physician, advanced practice nurse prescriber, physician assistant, or other appropriate medical personnel and guardian, if any, of any significant changes observed or reported in the patient’s condition.

DHS 133.14(1)(1) Provision of services. Skilled nursing services shall be provided by or under the supervision of a registered nurse.