CMS just released a new rule to update hospice payment rates for fiscal year 2018. The proposed rule:
- Increases the market basket percentage by 1 percent.
- Amends the statutory aggregate cap for FY 2018 by 1 percent to $28,689.04. The aggregate cap limits the overall payments made to a hospice annually
- Adds a new quality measures and provides an update on the hospice quality reporting program (HQRP). The Hospice Compare website will be in place the summer of 2017.
- Solicits public feedback on two measure concepts under consideration: 1) potentially avoidable hospice care transitions, and 2) access to levels of hospice care.
- Solicits comments on the clinical certification of a medical prognosis of a life expectancy of six months or less.
- Outlines new data collection mechanisms under consideration, including the Hospice Evaluation & Assessment Reporting Tool (HEART). CMS is considering enhancing the current Hospice Item Set data collection instrument to be more in line with other post-acute care settings.
- Outlines requirements for the Hospice CAHPS Survey for the FY 2020, FY 2021, and FY 2022 annual payment updates.
Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until June 26, 2017. Members are encouraged to send comments and questions about the new hospice rule to Peter Notarstefano at LeadingAge National by mid-June so that your issues can be incorporated into their comments.
