Is now a good time to sell my hospice or home health agency?

Why buyer demand is up

On May 13, 2026, CMS paused new Medicare enrollments for hospices and home health agencies nationwide. Operators who want to enter a market or expand can no longer start a new certified agency. Buying one that already exists is now the main way in.

That puts certified agencies in a strong position, including agencies with little or no census.

Agencies in the best position to sell

• Medicare-certified and past the 36-month mark, so the provider agreement can transfer
• Medicare billing privileges active
• No open overpayments, reviews, or serious survey findings
• Stable or growing census over the last two years

When it may make sense to wait

• You are inside your 36-month window: a sale now would be treated as a new enrollment, which the moratorium blocks. Waiting until you are past the mark is usually worth more than any price negotiation.
• You have an open review or a known cap or compliance issue: it can often be handled with an escrow, but resolving it first may get you a better price.
• Your numbers are about to improve: buyers look at the last three years. A strong year that is almost finished can be worth waiting for.

The window may not stay open

The moratorium started as a six-month pause, and CMS can extend it or lift it. If new enrollments reopen, buyers get their other option back, and demand for existing agencies may cool. Check the current status before relying on any date.

What about home care and PAS agencies?

The moratorium covers Medicare hospice and home health only. For home care and personal attendant services agencies, timing depends on your own numbers: billable hours, caregiver retention, and payer contracts.

Find out where your agency stands

A free, confidential valuation from Riverbluff checks your enrollment age, transferability, and what buyers would pay today. It does not commit you to selling.