The decision to close the Harper County Home Health Agency was a difficult decision, but based upon my recommendation to the Harper County Board of County Commissioners.  The Harper County Home Health Agency has been struggling for the past several years to remain compliant with increasing rules and regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); decreased patient census; and reduced revenues versus increased operating costs to maintain an agency of our size.  My position as the Administrator for the Harper County Health Department/Harper County Home Health Agency is to maintain compliance with federal, state, local and payer source regulations and to ensure that we are providing quality community services to meet the needs of Harper County citizens in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  

During the past few years, the regulation changes to operate a home health agency have increased rapidly and the Conditions of Participation that is the primary regulatory...