The Act amends the discharge planning sections of the Social Security Act to prevent hospitals from offering only the services of affiliated or preferred providers of home health services. Effective November 3, 1997, hospitals must advise patients who need home health services about all Medicare-certified home health agencies that serve the patient's geographic area and that have requested to be included in the hospital's referral list. Additionally, patient discharge plans may not specify or otherwise limit the provider of home health services for the patient. - See more at: http://corporate.findlaw.com/law-library/hospital-referrals-to-home-health-agencies-new-restrictions.html#sthash.C4sietYZ.dpuf