Industry updates specific to hospice.
As part of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model for CY2020, CMS has announced plans to begin offering hospice services under its Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2021. […]
CMS extension of the hospice agency's ability to use contracted nursing services in addition to core services related to the nursing shortage.
As mandated by Section 3004(c) of the Affordable Care Act, Hospices have been collecting 7 Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) measures using the Hospice Item Set (HIS) since July 1, 2014. On April 28, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed FY 2017 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update, which includes the addition of two new quality measures.
Based on the FY 2015 Final Rule released on 8/5/2015, CMS implemented changes as to how hospice agencies are paid for the Routine Home Care level of care. Known as a Service Intensity Add-On (SIA) Payment will apply if a visit is made on a RHC level of care day during the last 7 days of life (and the beneficiary is discharged dead), anddirect patient care is provided by an RN or a social worker that day.
