Hospice
Information on hospice, including memos and rules from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), information on the Conditions of Participation (CoPs), information from MedPAC, and legislative, funding, and regulatory updates.
Featured Content
How Hospices are Using Smartphone Technology to Engage
A new smartphone application is making it easier for health care providers to refer patients to the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas. Family members at other hospices are using videoconferencing to participate in planning end-of-life care for a relative. More
OIG Investigates Hospice Use of General Inpatient Care
OIG released a report that investigates the use of hospice services in general inpatient care (GIP) units to determine if the care is appropriate. More
Hospice: CMS Updates Wage Index and Payment Rate
On May 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that updates the fiscal year 2014 Medicare payment rates and wage index for hospice. More
VA Releases Final Rule on Payment for Home Health Services and Hospice Care to Non-VA Providers
A final rule on payment for home health services and hospice care to non-VA providers was published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the May 6th Federal Register. The potential annual revenue loss will be approximately $1,346.28 per provider. More
Hospice: MedPAC Looks at Possible Changes to Payment System
At its April 4 meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) continued to press for a way to pay nonprofit hospice providers that recognizes the higher costs associated with the early days of care. The current Medicare payment system creates substantial problems for hospice providers. LeadingAge agrees with MedPAC that the issue of hospice in nursing homes and payment is an area that requires more study. More