Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

There will be a three-month delay before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enforces a face-to-face meeting requirement for individuals who want hospice services or home health care, the Bureau of National Affairs reports.

The rule, which went into effect Jan. 1, requires healthcare professionals who make certification decisions to provide a document showing that a face-to-face meeting with the patient was conducted. The delay was implemented after some providers reported having trouble adjusting to the new rule, according to BNA.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that such meetings occur at least 90 days before the start of home care, 30 days after services began, as well as 15 days before the start of hospice services, the news source reported.